A non-traditional approach to cardiac education: the use of cardiac catheterization films.
In this age of shorter hospitalization and consumer demand for more indepth knowledge concerning health state, the need for innovative strategies in cardiac education continues to be a challenge to nurses in a cost containment environment. The use of a patient's own cardiac catheterization film as an adjunctive teaching strategy has not been discussed in the literature. Our experience has shown that the use of these films leads to time efficient and highly individualized delivery of patient education which facilitates patient participation in decision making regarding medical therapy. In addition, concepts found within education theory, such as involving the learner in discussion, associating new concepts with past experiences, incorporating as many senses as possible in the learning experience, and providing content that is immediately useful, are easily incorporated when cardiac catheterization films are used. This article will discuss how an innovative non-traditional strategy may complement traditional approaches to cardiac patient education.