Why is patient education an important role for a CMT?

Patient education plays a crucial role for a Certified Medication Technician (CMT) because it empowers patients to understand the medications they are taking, including their purpose, potential side effects, and the correct way to administer them. This understanding is pivotal in promoting medication adherence, as when patients know what their medications are for and how to take them properly, they are more likely to follow the prescribed regimen.

Effective patient education fosters a collaborative environment between the CMT and the patient, encouraging questions and discussions that can lead to better health outcomes. By enhancing patient knowledge, CMTs help patients become active participants in their own care, which can ultimately improve their health and wellbeing. This role does not involve prescribing medications or performing advanced medical procedures, which are outside the CMT's scope of practice, nor is it solely about legal compliance, though providing education does support legal safety by ensuring patients are informed.