ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book talks about teaching parents – and about patients learning. It is written for those health professionals, particularly in the maternity and child health services, who are concerned with teaching patients, and for members of voluntary organisations and consumer groups. The book consists of a series of studies of health service teaching in particular settings, in labour wards, antenatal classes and clinics, and by particular methods, through group work, through individual interviews, through in-patient care, and also indirectly, through leaflets. The existence of well established health service teaching traditions justifies an examination of health service practice from an educational point of view. The research on which the book is based has been discussed with managers and field staff and has contributed to that self-examination which is a part of truly professional work.
