Patient Centered Care and Education

Patient education is an important aspect of the patient experience at Stanford Health Care (SHC). SHC strives for a patient centric, supportive learning environment which engages the patient and promotes a wellness health model. Teaching strategies include the use of demonstrations, multi-media presentations, audio and video tools, and computer technology.

Nurses are primary patient educators and are supported in this role by the Patient Education Council. This Council was developed to standardize and enhance patient educational outcomes. The Council is responsible for establishing a process for the development and approval of materials to ensure that they meet the needs of patients and Clinicians.

As a teaching hospital, SHC promotes a culture of learning that begins with the first patient/staff interaction and extends after the time the patient is discharged. From specific pre-op classes and instructions, participation in Clinical trials, enrollment in classes dedicated to the management of chronic health conditions, to the one-on-one education a nurse provides a patient during a hospitalization, SHC is committed to patient education as a tool to improve patients' outcomes and quality of life.

Using cultural competency constructs throughout patient education helps the foundation to improve ethnic health disparities and patient outcomes. SHC has accomplished this by incorporating interpretative services, coordinating with traditional healers, and integrating families and community members into patient education efforts, thereby improving the ability of the healthcare provider to deliver appropriate services to diverse populations.

Learn more about patient education opportunities at Stanford Health Care.