What is the best educational practice to ensure both a patient and their spouse understand the inpatient care plan and discharge plan?

The teach-back method is considered the best educational practice in this scenario because it actively involves both the patient and their spouse in the learning process. This method requires the educator to explain the care and discharge plans to the patient and their spouse and then ask them to repeat the information back to ensure comprehension. This process allows the educator to identify any gaps in understanding and clarify information in real time, ensuring that both parties have a firm grasp of the important details regarding care plans.

Utilizing the teach-back method fosters better communication and retention of information, which is critical in a healthcare setting. It also encourages patients and their spouses to ask questions and engage with the material, ultimately leading to improved outcomes post-discharge.

Other methods, such as handout materials, may provide valuable information but do not guarantee that the patient and spouse have understood the content fully. Oral explanations alone might be unclear without confirmation of understanding, and written instructions can sometimes be misinterpreted or overlooked. Therefore, the teach-back method is superior as it emphasizes clarity and confirmation of understanding in a supportive manner.