The teach-back method, also called the “show me” method, is a communication confirmation technique used by healthcare providers to confirm whether a patient (or caretaker) understands what is being explained to them. If a patient understands, he or she is able to “teach-back” the information accurately.
Teach-back has proven to be one of the most successful teaching strategies associated with improving comprehension of discharge instructions and is especially successful for patients with low health literacy.
Tools
- Plain Language Terms (PDF) A staff exercise to identify common medical jargon.
- Teach-Back Sentence Starters (PDF) Teach-back questions for staff to practice. Includes a pocket card.
- Teach-Back Flyers for Self-Training (PDF) Three reminder flyers for staff.
- Reminder to Use Teach-Back (posters) (PDF) Help providers check and practice skill development.
- Teach-Back Training Flyer (template) (PDF) Schedule and promote staff training.
- Teach-Back Employee Competency Validation (PDF) Track staff teach-back skills.
Education
- Teach-Back: A Strategy to Impact Health Literacy (Slides/recording). HSAG Care Coordination Quickinar #10.
- Always Use Teach-Back! Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
- Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, Use the Teach-Back Method. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
- Teach-Back Quick Start Guide. AHRQ.
- Teach-Back Interventions for Patient Engagement in Primary Care. AHRQ quick-start guides and implementation plans.
- Plain Language for Health Literacy. A collection resources from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA).
- Teach-Back Concepts and Learning Modules. From www.teachback.org.
- Plain Language Medical Dictionary. Simpler words for medical terminology, from the University of Michigan.
