Patient Educational Tool: Diet and Hypertension

Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In this paper, the author discusses a patient educational tool for hypertension in an adult with an aim of analyzing it for use in providing patient education to the specific audience in this case- grown-up. The paper explains what a patient educational tool is, the specific audience for which the tool will be used by the author and the source and authenticity of the tool. The inherent design of the tool, its advantages as well as the cultural appropriateness in the tools use for the chosen audience is also discussed.

The author will then give personal perception of the use of this tool and the barriers associated with its use. The weaknesses and suggested improvements in the administration of the tool will also be discussed. The author concludes by summarizing the purpose, potential, weaknesses and practical application example where the author intends to use a similar tool in administering patient education.

Main body

A description from the Patient Education Institute considers a Patient Education Tool(s) as a set of interactive visually oriented presentations of vital health information to patients of a given illness (www.patient-education.com). Patient educational tools include such resources of multimedia nature that integrate clinical counseling processes. Usually, the tools as in cases of oral narrations may be accompanied by handouts of graphic nature or tutorials as in the case of PowerPoint presentations.

The presentations help a patient think of the scenery of the disease with an aim of analysis the causes of the ailment, risks involved and the treatment options for the disease. These PETs find use in hospitals, clinics, physician offices and other settings that champion patient understanding of their ailments. The division of Nutrition Education at University of Kansas has a number of developed modules of patient educational tools. These vary from offerings, auditory streams, image presentations in Ms PowerPoint (one of which presentations on diet in relation to hypertension is analyzed) and even interactive DVD guides to personal health in relation to disease and diet.

In this lesson, the investigators analysis is on the utilization of PowerPoint PET created by Tricia Fleming, an intern from the University of Kansas and Tammy Beason, an MS student and a Nutrition Education Specialist under the Family Nutrition Education Program of December 2001.

The PET can be used to counsel anyone since everyone is susceptible to hypertension. The product is not copyrighted. The tool relies on sources of education in hypertension from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at Building 31, Room 5A48, 31 Center Drive MSC 2486 Bethesda, MD 20892. The module is designed for the audience of African Americans who have a history of hypertension and contribute to the highest number of those suffering from the disease.

The presentation, entitled Diet and Hypertension is acceptable as a very interactive PET for all African Americans in the US and abroad (ACP, 149). The PET takes the instructor through an interactive presentation episode on the meaning of blood pressure in defining hypertension, description of high blood pressure and importance of knowing the effects of high blood pressure (hypertension) and its effects on body parts. The trainer is led through these effects on different parts of the body such as the brain, the heart, the kidneys, the eyes and the arteries. Again, the module dwells on what causes hypertension, those susceptible to it, how it can be detected and gives an illustration of the detection gadgets. Tips for having blood pressure tests and categories of the disease are also discussed.

The creator presents the topic of high blood pressure deterrence and states habits of having a healthy lifestyle, the DASH diet, and tips for reducing the intake of sodium, which in high doses, is one of the causes of hypertension, maintaining healthy weight and being physically active. Other prevention measures include limiting the intake of alcohol and quitting smoking.

Other treatment options such as blood pressure medication, Diuretics, Beta, Alpha, Alpha-beta and Calcium Channel blockers are proposed if lifestyle modifications do not seem to work. Other proposals seconded include use of ACE and Nervous system inhibitors, Angiotensin antagonists and finally, Vasodilators. The presentation concludes by noting that the ailment is quite controllable but has very drastic consequences if not controlled.

The tool explains in detail, approaches to introducing strategies that can be developed by the individuals and which can be used to plan and develop future management criteria towards positive living. Finally, the tool helps one to know about oneself and thus make wiser decisions about lifestyle that enhances good health.

According to this tool, the causes of hypertension vary. Some of the causes given are: narrowing of arteries, high blood volumes that are abnormal, a heart that beats forcefully and harder than normal, other medical problems. However, the exact cause, according to the tool, is not known.

On who is susceptible, the module notes that anyone can develop hypertension but is observed to be most common in or older people after the age of 60 years. African Americans, however, develop it earlier than, for example, the Caucasians, the tool says. The vulnerability of the African Americans is explained in their genetic origin that causes them to be overweight fact that can be associated with family history. High blood pressure of between 135-139 mm Hg is a sure recipe for development of hypertension.

The patient is also enlightened on the methods of preventing serious complications and is instructed to find ways of exercising, loosing weight and enjoying healthy eating habits. The module is inspirational in its urge to the clients to have the knowledge, motivation and strength to make them stay healthy.

The tool has a unique but very interactive design. The presentation is organized in a step-by-step account of the causes, effect and remedial account of the disease. The background of the PowerPoint tool is dark with contents in white. This makes good legibility and great readability. It can be viewed on outline, slides or even full screen slideshows. The slides can be customized to suite personal modifications should a trainer so wish.

The appropriateness of this tool is in no question considering the researched history of hypertension ailment within the populace of the African American origin. The presentation is in simple and clear English and where medical terms are used; their explanations in layman language are provided.

The cultural appropriateness is in no doubt African American but could fit any audience. Research shows that hypertension is rampant in the African American generation due to cultural aspects. Drahcir (2006) in his journal African American Deadly Foe while describing the history of hypertension and obesity in America attributes their vulnerability to smoking. He says that over 2.8 million with hypertension, one third of them do not know that they do have the disease. Furthermore, 25% of those between 65 and 74 years of age have hypertension among this population.

The acknowledgement of Drahcir (2006) that main causes are irrelevant but could be directed to genetics and environment. He says that the thrifty gene inherited from their African ancestors enabled use of food energy effectively during feasts and famines which they however, they did not inherit. This makes the control of weight very difficult. This observable lack of exercises also contributes to glucose causing a tendency to develop high blood pressure. This scenario makes the cultural aspect of the choice of this tool quite relevant to this audience.

The advantages of this tool over others like publications and plain audio is in its interactivity. It enables self programming on part of the instructor and the patient and training increases adherence to instructions since the audience take the tool as their own. The procedures of presentation are simple and this increases knowledge of the patient over time. Patients with computers and who know how to handle PowerPoint presentations can soon have it for themselves. Barriers to this technology are minimized to the acquisition of skills in PowerPoint presentation in order to use the slide presentation tool. Images depicting causes, effects and prevention could also help to make it more interactive. The presentation may also be preceded with a short guide by a professional on what to expect and proceeded with graphical publications to reinforce a patients understanding of his/her circumstances through these presentations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tool finds its usefulness and purpose in explaining causes, risks and treatment options of hypertension. It has strengths in its interactivity while it is restrained by requirements of training before they are used. As a nurse, I find the tool appropriate as an after effort in counseling a chronically hypertension cases, all of which find relevance in this tool.