This guidance and the Teach-back Interactive Learning Module help you start learning about and building comfort with using teach-back and its key elements.
Please note: All titles indicated in blue within each Toolkit can be found in the Library Resource/Tools page by clicking here.
The 10 Elements for Using Teach-back Effectively
Vital: Information About These 3 Key Elements
- One of the 3 vital Elements: Using words to show you are taking responsibility for being clear is essential to teach-back, especially by fostering a non-shaming environment. Click here to download.
- One of the 3 vital Elements: Asking the person, in a caring way, to explain back (or show back), using their own words what was taught helps reveal what they understand or remember. Click here to download.
- One of the 3 vital Elements: When someone cannot teach back, it is important to re-explain differently and check for understanding again. If they cannot teach back after several attempts, different support or an alternative plan of care may be needed. Click here to download.
More About the Other Elements for Using Teach-back Effectively
- Avoid overwhelming patients, families, and clients by teaching too much that is not necessary at the time. Focus only on the vital few things people need to know or do. Click here to download.
- Including family members, caregivers, or other support persons in teaching and teach-back provides additional assistance to the patient or client when needed. Click here to download.
- Conveying respect and being aware of and addressing cultural and language differences are vital when using teach-back. Click here to download.
- It is vital to use words that are easy to understand and relatable, so people can focus on the message and not struggle with what is being said. Click here to download.
- Non-shaming open-ended questions help people feel respected and reveal more about their understanding or needs. Click here to download.
- Reader-friendly plain language materials support learning, sharing, finding, and reinforcing information. Click here to download.
- Everyone in the health service or care continuum can further support patients, families, and clients in subsequent care delivery, plans, and settings when staff know how well people are able to teach back. Click here to download.
Videos (Teach-back Basics)
Pediatrician with Teen and Parent - How to Use Inhaler – English
Explaining without Plain Language - English (:45)
Explaining with Plain Language - English (1:35)
Asking for teach-back - English (:12)
Not able to teach back - English (:45)
Re-explaining and checking again – English (:52)
Able to teach back – English (:56)
Teach-back Interactive Learning Module
This Module helps learners identify and use key elements of teach-back and plain language to promote health equity, safety, and quality, and advance organizational health literacy.
Guidance and resources here will help you get started learning about teach-back and its importance, and using key teach-back elements and skills.
10 Elements for Using Teach-back Effectivel 10 Elements for Using Teach-back Effectively – Detailed Use Words to Show You Are Taking Responsibility for Being Clear Ask the Person to Explain Back in Their Own Words When People Cannot Teach Back Accurately Identifying the Key Need-to-Know Need-to-Do Concepts and Tasks for Teaching Include Family Members Culture and Respect Using Plain Language with Teach-back Asking Non-shaming Open-ended Questions Using Reader-friendly Materials with Teach-back Documentation and Interprofessional Collaboration