AHRQ: The Teach-back method (February 2015)

Summary

Regardless of a patient's health literacy level, it is important that staff ensure that patients understand the information they have been given. The teach-back method is a way of checking understanding by asking patients to state in their own words what they need to know or do about their health. It is a way for clinicians to confirm they have explained things in a manner their patients understand.

The related show-me method allows staff to confirm that patients are able to follow specific instructions (e.g., how to use an inhaler).

Content

The teach-back and show-me methods are valuable tools for everyone to use with each patient and for all clinic staff to use. These methods can help you:

• improve patient understanding and adherence
• decrease call backs and cancelled appointments
• improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Studies have shown that 40-80% of the medical information patients are told during office visits is forgotten immediately, and nearly half of the information retained is incorrect.