Development, utilization, and evaluation of educational programs for patients with maxillary and mandibular defects.

Abstract

Prior to the development of these two rehabilitation programs, there was no informational material available for patients having undergone debilitative maxillary or mandibular surgery. Realizing that what little information the patients and their families did receive during the rehabilitative process was often fragmented, misunderstood, or simply forgotten, two audiovisual programs were designed to fulfill a long-neglected need. Experience with this project indicates that if patient rehabilitation programs are to be effective, it is essential that the patients contribute to the program's development. Only in this way can members of the health-care team be assured that the transmission of pertinent information through variatious educational materials is totally effective.