Teach-back Technique
- The "teach-back" technique is an effective method for ensuring that patients understand what you have told them. Some professionals call "teach-back" the "show-me" technique. It involves asking patients to explain or demonstrate what they have been told.
- One of the most important aspects of the "teach-back" technique is this:
Do not ask a patient, "Do you understand?"
- Another term you might hear is "double teach-back". This term is used when you are checking for understanding with two people, for instance, first with the child, then the parent, for pediatric patients. Or, for elderly patients, first with the elderly patient, and then the family member or caregiver.
