The role of the Health Educator is quite varied. The Health Educator may individually educate a patient, arrange and teach small groups of 6 - 12 patients, or coordinate and conduct larger patient/public educational conferences or public prevention campaigns. Whatever the educational venue, the overall goal is to increase the patients' knowledge and understanding of their condition in order to better manage their chronic rheumatic illness. Additional goals may, for example, include promoting prevention of the onset of some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis through weight management. The Health Educator may provide information to patients to help prevent the problems associated with arthritis, such as pain, loss of function, depression, and other chronic problems.
WHAT DOES A HEALTH EDUCATOR DO?
There are seven areas of responsibilities and competencies for health educators:
- Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education
- Plan health education
- Implement health education
- Conduct evaluation and research related to health education
- Administer and manage health education
- Serve as a health education resource person
- Communicate and advocate for health and health education
It is important for the health educator to assess the understanding of the patient and their ability to engage in education about their disease. In this way, the Health Educator can develop the most appropriate lesson plan and provide the most helpful information to the individual patient. This process may be carried out formally through a questionnaire or informally by a show of hands prior to a session or conference. Post-conference evaluations may also have a section to determine what topics patients and the public would like to learn more about.
WHERE DOES THE HEALTH EDUCATOR WORK?
Education may be provided in a wide variety of settings including medical clinics, health insurance companies, health associations or foundations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, Lupus Foundation or Fibromyalgia Association,. They also provide education in hospitals, colleges and universities, county, state and federal government health services, the Veteran's Administration, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Health Educators often contribute to health journals and magazines, online publications, and more.
WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES A HEALTH EDUCATOR HAVE?
The training of a Health Educator is varied depending on where the Health Educator works. Some Health Educators hold Master's degrees from Colleges of Public Health. A concerted effort has been made over the years to raise the training level of educators through the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Additionally, individuals can become certified as Health Education Specialists (CHES). The CHES examination is a competency-based tool used to measure possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the seven areas of responsibility for Health Educators. The exam reflects the entry-level sub-competencies of these seven areas. Certification exams are offered at college campuses throughout the United States. A Certified Health Education Specialist is an individual that has: 1) met academic eligibility, 2) passed a written examination, and 3) has an ongoing commitment to their own continuing education.
Ultimately, Health Educators are committed to improving the overall care, well-being, and function of patients with rheumatic disease by providing education to the patient, their family, and the community.
RHEUMATOLOGISTS AND RHEUMATOLOGY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Learn more about rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals.
To find a rheumatologist or rheumatology health professional
For a listing of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals in your area, click here.
For more information
For additional information, contact the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals at 2200 Lake Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 or (404) 633-3777 or arhp@rheumatology.org.
Reviewed February 2013 – ARHP Practice Committee
This patient fact sheet is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnoses and treatment of a medical or health condition.
© 2013 American College of Rheumatology
