Preparing Patients and Families as Educators

Explain the goals of the educational event and why the perspective of patient and family members is important.
Clarify expectations for participation and emphasize that patients and families bring unique expertise, i.e., their real-life experience in the health care system and their suggestions for change.
Reassure patients and families that their participation will be respected and valued by clinicians.
Give anticipatory guidance about content of the educational event and try to predict what may be especially evocative for patient and family educators.
If patient/family educators will be sharing their stories, provide guidance about doing that effectively – and how stories can be integrated with other formats and approaches in education.
If Q & A will be part of the educational event, empower patients and families to "speak up" if/when they are not comfortable responding to some questions.
Outline nuts-and-bolts details and logistics, e.g., submission of PowerPoint slides and handouts, other participants, travel arrangements and directions (if applicable), expenses and reimbursement, attire.
Provide initial guidance about returning home, i.e., reactions patient and family educators might have, strategies for addressing them.

(Adapted from IPPC's "Families as Educators: Guidance for Implementation")