Moving Into Action: The Master Key to Patient Education

BACKGROUND: Illness and hospitalization are situations that increase the need for assistance and education. Poor education is currently the most common source of patient complaints in the health sector in Iran. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and recommendations of nurses to improve patient education. METHODS: This research followed a qualitative exploratory design with a qualitative content analysis approach. The study participants, including eight head nurses and 16 staff nurses, were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through semistructured interviews, focus group sessions, and observations during 2016. RESULTS: Coding and analysis of the data generated one main theme, two subthemes, and four categories. The subthemes were “strengthen total commitment” and “reconstructing the infrastructure,” and the categories were “developing motivational factors,” “facilitating change by every impetus,” “systematizing activities,” and “contextual promotion.” CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide a complete picture of patient education and challenge managers to develop new strategies to plan and implement appropriate changes.