Patient education in the community hospital.

Recent events have led to a favorable climate for the development of hospital-based patient education. A pilot model program in a community hospital is utilized to illustrate the variety of settings in which patient education is conducted, and includes: group classes, patient clubs, volunteer visits, individual instruction, community outreach, screening and detection programs, and behavior modification workshops. The use of television for inpatient education is highlighted in a discussion of media approaches and needs.