Those of us who serve as advisors in educational roles, learn as well as teach.
Patient educator, Moffitt Cancer Center
Words of Advice, 2013
Roles for Patient/Family Educators
As patient and family educators are involved in the education of health professions students and clinicians, they can assume a variety of roles and provide education via different formats and approaches.
| Personal Stories | Share stories, experiences, and insights with a class of students, at Grand Rounds, or with larger audiences at a conference or professional meeting |
| Formal Presentations | Combine stories with components of lecture, perhaps using PowerPoint slides; alone or with co-presenter(s) |
| Panels | With 3-4 other patients/families, share aspects of stories and respond to questions with a skilled moderator |
| Discussion Groups | Participate in or facilitate small group discussions, using curricular materials, but also openly sharing experience of care of both patients/families and students or clinicians |
| Role-play or Simulations | Through use of computers and/or standardized patients, teach communication and interaction skills to students and clinicians |
| Mentoring | Welcome learners into homes/lives to engage in dialogue about illness, quality/safety, navigating the health system |