PSYCHOEDUCATION

“Psychoeducation is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for patients and their loved ones that provide information and support to better understand and cope with illness.” – Wikipedia

This procedure is primarily used for patients with serious mental illnesses, but it has since been extended to other types of illnesses, such as when the patient is a child or when some of the medication must be taken at home. Knowledge of the ailment, administration of the prescribed drugs, drug interactions, and so on, enables the family to better manage the patient’s condition and cope with any situation that may arise.

C.M Anderson, a researcher, developed psychoeducation in 1980 as a way to combat the rate of relapse in patients with mental health issues. He believes that if both the patient’s family and the patient are aware of the symptoms and treatments for the disease, the rate of relapse will be reduced.

Psychoeducation has gradually become a part of patient treatment procedures, owing to the fact that it aids symptom improvement and helps patients accurately adhere to medication recommendations. When prospects understand what they are dealing with and what to expect, they are better able to follow their doctor’s orders.

Patients are motivated by psychoeducation because they are empowered with information about their condition, making them a key player in their healing process. On most occasions, patients and families are not simply told what to do; rather, they are given both the diagnosis and treatment options from which to choose, allowing them to make their own decision on how to handle the situation.

Because psychoeducation is primarily concerned with knowledge transfer, there is no set standard for how the sessions should be conducted. The duration of the various sessions varies depending on the severity of the ailment and the length of treatment.

Some of the goals of psychoeducation are as follows:

-To dispel any misconceptions that may arise as a result of the disease’s symptoms

-Informing patients and families about the disease’s signs and symptoms, as well as the outcome, side effects of the medication, and how to deal with them.

-Informing the family and the patient about what to avoid during treatment and medication.

-Informing those concerned about various medication options so that they can make an informed decision.

-Informing those concerned about signs of relapse, when to administer first aid, and what types of first aid to use prior to consultation.

Whatever psychoeducational model is used for which patient and family, individual patient characteristics and unique family dynamics must be considered if the goal is to be met.

More needs to be done to increase the relevance of psychoeducation in the medical field.

Sources

https://thehumancondition.com/psychoeducation/

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychoeducation-5323831