The Weber health education model : health care provider-patient interactions

Abstract

This qualitative project introduces and explores the creation of a new health education model, which emerged from a personal narrative inquiry. Using research literature and studying four patient interactions through narrative inquiry and analysis, I created a communication process to allow a deeper connection between health care providers and patients. The Weber Health Education Model provides and describes a seven-step communication structure for these health care provider-patient encounters. In the second phase of my research, I tested this model in a clinical situation and interviewed five health care providers to explore their perceptions within the context of their daily practices, asking the research question "Does the Weber Health Education Model allow for meaningful contact between health care provider and patient?" It was found that research participants were able to provide an answer which was distilled to one statement: Despite initial hesitation, health care providers found using the Weber Health Education Model to be an effective tool for meaningful connections within encounters. In particular, patients had a wide variety of expectations and found that asking about expectations was the key to a deeper understanding of an individual's true concern with a specific health problem It is recommended on the basis of this project that further research in this area would contribute to knowledge about the use of the Weber Health Education Model.