Teach Back for Orthopedic Trauma

Overseen By Kallie J Chen, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Non-English speaking, Incarcerated, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: Immediate postoperative period

216 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if educating patients after trauma surgery can improve their understanding of their injury and treatment, enhance adherence to medical advice, and increase satisfaction with their care. Some participants will receive education through the "Teach Back" method (also known as the Educational Teach Back method), while others will not. The study is suitable for individuals who have undergone surgery for a single fracture in the pelvis or lower leg. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that may enhance patient education and care satisfaction.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Educational Teach Back method is safe for patients after trauma surgeries?

Research has shown that the Teach-Back method safely and effectively helps patients better understand their medical care. This method improves patient knowledge and is linked to fewer hospital readmissions. Studies have found it aids patients in remembering what their healthcare providers tell them. Teach-Back involves healthcare providers asking patients to repeat information in their own words, enhancing their ability to remember and follow medical advice.

No reports of negative side effects from using the Teach-Back method exist. It serves as a communication tool that clarifies treatment and care instructions for patients. As a non-invasive educational approach, it carries no physical risks. Overall, Teach-Back is well-tolerated and safe for patients in their healthcare journey. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Teach Back method for orthopedic trauma because it focuses on enhancing patient understanding and retention of medical information. Unlike traditional educational approaches that rely on one-way communication, Teach Back involves patients actively explaining information back to their healthcare providers to confirm comprehension. This interactive method has the potential to improve patient outcomes by ensuring they are better informed about their recovery process, leading to more effective self-care and possibly reducing the risk of complications. By empowering patients with knowledge, this educational strategy could transform postoperative care in orthopedic trauma, making it a promising area of study.

What evidence suggests that the Educational Teach Back method is effective for improving patient outcomes after orthopedic trauma?

Research has shown that the teach-back method, included in this trial's postoperative educational program, helps patients better understand their care. This understanding can reduce hospital visits and improve health. Studies suggest that teach-back increases the likelihood of patients remembering treatment instructions. It also enhances their quality of life and mental well-being. The method is simple, quick, and widely used in health education. Overall, teach-back is a promising way to help patients follow medical advice and feel satisfied with their care. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

John Sontich, MD

Principal Investigator

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals who've had surgery for a fracture in the pelvis or lower extremity. It's not open to those with cognitive impairments, prisoners, people already in conflicting studies, or patients getting orthopedic care elsewhere.

Inclusion Criteria

I had surgery for a broken pelvis or leg bone.

Exclusion Criteria

History of traumatic brain injury, dementia, or other cognitive impairment

Patient receiving orthopedic care or follow-up at another institution

Currently enrolled in a study that does not permit co-enrollment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive education after trauma surgeries to evaluate recall, adherence, and satisfaction

Immediate postoperative period

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for satisfaction, recall, and adherence up to 180 days post-operation

Up to 180 days

Questionnaires administered

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Educational Teach Back

Trial Overview The study tests if education after trauma surgery can improve patient knowledge about their injury and treatment ('recall'), adherence to treatment recommendations, and satisfaction with care. Some will receive educational interventions while others won't.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Postoperative teach-back educational program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients will receive teach-back education while they fill out questionnaires.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients will not receive any teach-back education while filling out questionnaires.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

348

Recruited

394,000+

John Sontich

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

220+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The 'Hand as Foot teaching method' significantly enhances medical students' understanding and retention of complex concepts related to motion system injuries, as evidenced by positive feedback from students.

This innovative teaching approach fosters better teacher-student interaction and creates a more engaging classroom environment, making it a valuable complement to traditional teaching methods like PPT presentations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The innovation and practice of "Hand as Foot teaching method" in the teaching of motion system injury course. He, B., Li, Q., Zhao, J., et al.[2023]

The teach-back method significantly improved patient comprehension of the risks and benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with participants scoring higher on knowledge assessments compared to a control group.

Using the teach-back method also increased surgeon trust among patients, enhancing the overall informed consent process, while only adding an average of 2.45 minutes to the consultation time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The "teach-back" method improves surgical informed consent and shared decision-making: a proof of concept study. Seely, KD., Higgs, JA., Butts, L., et al.[2022]

The 'teach-back' process is an effective strategy that empowers nurses to ensure patients and families understand discharge instructions, which can help prevent medication errors.

An educational intervention implemented at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin showed positive effects on nurses' ability to verify understanding and correct misinformation, highlighting the importance of this approach in patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using "teach-back" to promote a safe transition from hospital to home: an evidence-based approach to improving the discharge process. Kornburger, C., Gibson, C., Sadowski, S., et al.[2022]

The Teach-back method significantly reduced preoperative anxiety and improved surgical cooperation among 116 elderly patients undergoing outpatient ophthalmology surgery, compared to standard education methods.

Patients who received Teach-back education experienced lower intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations, indicating a more stable physiological response during surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of Teach-back method on preoperative anxiety and surgical cooperation in elderly patients undergoing outpatient ophthalmology surgery: A randomized clinical trial. Shen, D., Huang, W., Wei, S., et al.[2023]

Teach-back is an effective health literacy tool that helps orthopaedic nurses assess and improve patients' understanding of medical information, which can lead to better self-management and reduced hospital readmissions.

The article outlines a four-stage process for nurses to implement teach-back in their patient education, aiming to enhance patient safety, satisfaction, and overall health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilizing Teach-Back to Reinforce Patient Education: A Step-by-Step Approach. Caplin, M., Saunders, T.[2022]

Orthopaedic surgeons face unique challenges in trauma care education, requiring knowledge of patient resuscitation and the treatment of injuries across multiple organ systems, especially in complex cases like adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The current healthcare landscape, particularly the managed care movement, threatens the quality of trauma education and research by limiting referrals to trauma centers and potentially compromising patient care, necessitating collaboration among educators, institutions, and healthcare organizations to maintain high standards in trauma education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Education in orthopaedic trauma. Chapman, MW.[2019]

Using the teach-back method for discharge education significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates by 45%, with an odds ratio of 0.55 based on a meta-analysis of five studies involving various patient groups.

Despite the promising results, the analysis was limited by a small number of studies and a high risk of selection bias, highlighting the need for more rigorous randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Discharge Education With the Teach-Back Method on 30-Day Readmission: A Systematic Review. Oh, EG., Lee, HJ., Yang, YL., et al.[2023]

Patients who experienced the teach-back method during healthcare interactions had a 15% lower risk of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) compared to those who did not, indicating its potential efficacy in improving patient outcomes.

The teach-back method was also associated with a 23% lower risk of readmission for ACSC-related conditions, particularly benefiting patients with hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, suggesting that this communication strategy can enhance patient understanding and management of their health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teach-Back Experience and Hospitalization Risk Among Patients with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: a Matched Cohort Study. Hong, YR., Cardel, M., Suk, R., et al.[2021]

The orthopedic teaching program significantly improved learners' confidence in their knowledge and skills, with a median confidence score rising from 8 to 9 after the program, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing educational outcomes.

Tutors found the program highly useful, with median scores of 9 for the usefulness of feedback and relevance of topics, suggesting that near-peer teaching can effectively address learner diversity and improve the overall educational experience in a clinical setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons From a Near-Peer Junior Doctor Teaching Program in Trauma and Orthopedics. Anazor, F., Uthraraj, NS., Bakti, NI.[2023]

Cognitive apprenticeship is a teaching model that focuses on developing internal thought processes necessary for mastering complex skills, distinguishing it from traditional apprenticeships that emphasize observable tasks.

This model can be effectively applied to orthopedic education, providing a framework for developing curricula that enhance both practical skills and critical thinking in medical training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Apprenticeship in Orthopaedic Surgery: Updating a Classic Educational Model. Butler, BA., Butler, CM., Peabody, TD.[2020]

A new integrated teaching model for orthopedic residents at Université de Montréal was developed, focusing on specific behavioral objectives for each 6-month rotation to enhance learning outcomes.

The model shifted the role of surgeons from traditional teachers to facilitators, using simulated cases to improve problem-solving skills and allowing for more frequent and objective assessments of resident learning.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrated curriculum model for a residency program. Des Marchais, JE.[2007]

The teach-back method of education has been identified as a potentially effective technique for reinforcing patient education, helping ensure that patients understand their health information.

This review highlights the importance of using interactive teaching strategies, like teach-back, to improve patient comprehension and retention of medical information.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use and Effectiveness of the Teach-Back Method in Patient Education and Health Outcomes. Yen, PH., Leasure, AR.[2020]

Telehealth can enhance preoperative and postoperative education for orthopedic patients, making it more personalized and accessible, which may lead to better outcomes like reduced pain and improved mobility.

The proposed framework combines the EDUCATE model and Bashshur's Taxonomy of Telehealth to create a patient-centered approach that improves comprehension and retention of important health information, addressing varying levels of health literacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Model for Delivery of Orthopaedic Perioperative Education via Telehealth. Keener, AS., Howell, DM.[2022]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-wounds-and-injuries-10-2022-b3a75

Teach Back for Orthopedic Trauma Research shows that the teach-back method helps patients understand their care better, which can lead to fewer hospital readmissions and better overall health ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6590951/

Use and Effectiveness of the Teach-Back Method in Patient ... A review of the literature on the teach-back method of education suggests that the technique may be beneficial in reinforcing patient education.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7156054/

Teach-back: A systematic review of implementation and impacts ... educational effect of teach-back and stimulate interest in patients to participate. Outcome measures and effectiveness of teach-back.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738399121005115

Characteristics of teach-back as practiced in a university ... The teach-back method (a way of checking patients' understanding) is simple and fast (Miller et al., 2021) and has been adopted widely in health education ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1577538/full

Application of Teach-back health education combined with ... Teach-Back health education combined with continuity care effectively promotes functional recovery, improves quality of life and psychological wellbeing.

6. youtube.com youtube.com/watch?v=VLDkBGpj5t8

Closing The Loop - Teach-Back Method | MedAnimations Enhance your communication skills with our Teach-Back Method animation, focusing on closing the loop. Learn to verify patient understanding ...

7. ahrq.gov ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/engage/interventions/teachback.html

Teach-Back: Intervention Teach-back is a technique for health care providers to ensure that they have explained medical information clearly so that patients and their families ...