Page 14 - strategy of health education
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Introduction
When the community health nurse identifies a need that is best met
through health education, the nurse is faced with a series of questions: What is
the overall goal? How can I teach effectively? What content should I cover?
What method of presentation will communicate most effectively? What
resources can I use as teaching tools? How do I know when the client has
grasped the information or mastered the skills? How do I involve the client in
the learning process? How do I assist clients with special learning needs? The
nurse must understand what makes teaching effective, how teaching skills are
acquired, and how mastery is measured.
Before discussing health education, it is imperative to conceptualize what
health itself means. Health is a highly subjective concept. Good health means
different things to different people, and its meaning varies according to
individual and community expectations and context. Many people consider
themselves healthy if they are free of disease or disability. However, people who
have a disease or disability may also see themselves as being in good health if
they are able to manage their condition so that it does not impact greatly on
their quality of life.
The nurse should consider what motivates individuals and groups to
adopt new behaviors and what factors may inhibit or prevent that change. By
understanding the principles of teaching and behavior change, the nurse can
work toward the ultimate goal of health promotion for individuals, families,
groups, and communities.
Concept of Wellness:
Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices
towards a healthy and fulfilling life. It is more than being free from illness; it is
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