Patient education in Hungary

Patient education is a highly context dependent activity. The Hungarian scene is conditioned by three well articulated aspects. First, the well developed and still cherished roots of dissemination of knowledge; second, the traditional sensitivity of ethical issues in health related, including death and dying issues; third, the present fast socio-political changes in this country. The health promoting hospital movement’s widespread activities as well as behavioral sciences, mental health and health psychology aspects of patient education are also reviewed. The theoretical as well as skills aspects of communication and systematic attempts to increase the effectiveness of interactions are also presented.