Developing the nurse's role in patient education: rehabilitation as a caseexample

Over the past decade considerable emphasis has been placed on the nurse's r ole in patient education. Despite this numerous studies have suggested that this aspect of nursing practice is under-developed. Using rehabilitation u s: a case example this paper explores the nursing contribution to patient e ducation in five conditions: multiple sclerosis: arthritis; myocardial infa rction; spinal injury and stroke. Although the literature identifies: consi derable potential for nurses to take a lead role in patient education this is rarely achieved in practice. Analyses of printed curricula from a range of courses indicate that nul ses are not adequately prepared for patient ed ucation and that a reorientation of nurse education is required. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.