THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS OF DEVELOPING THERAPEUTIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS

Abstract

The article delves into the significance of therapeutic patient education as a pivotal component of managing patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, aiming to enhance their quality of life and alleviate the burden of illness. Understanding the interplay between behaviour and health is a crucial factor in making informed health-related decisions, representing a coveted outcome of therapeutic patient education.
The objective of the article was to systematize the theoretical frameworks to develop therapeutic education programs tailored to patients with chronic non-communicable diseases.
Comprehensive therapeutic education programs should encompass three dimensions: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. The emotional dimension of such programs should be structured around the patient health engagement model. The cognitive dimension draws upon principles from the theory of planned behaviour, health belief model, self-determination theory, empowerment theory, among others. Meanwhile, the behavioral dimension is rooted in foundational tenets of social cognitive theory, self-efficacy theory, transtheoretical model of behavior change, self-determination theory, and empowerment theory.
In the implementation of therapeutic education programs, adherence to overarching principles of andragogy and the empowerment theory is advisable. The theoretically informed approach to selecting educational interventions comprises four stages: assessing the need for behavior change, identifying barriers and facilitators, selecting methods for behavior change, and defining outcome indicators for behavior change.
In the selection of methods, techniques, and strategies for therapeutic education, the "behavior change wheel" methodology proves beneficial.
When developing and structuring educational materials, it is imperative to heed the recommendations provided by relevant medical associations, as well as the fundamental principles of the elaboration likelihood model. Association recommendations take into consideration the cognitive capacities of patients for processing information.