Introduction: To explore patient education problems in clinical and educational settings.
Methods: A review and an explanatory sequential mixed methods design were used. In the quantitative phase, an extensive review of the literature was performed for improving the validation of the questionnaire and after that, 2300 nursing students by convenience sampling were recruited. Data were collected by a self-report bridges and barriers of patient education questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, 25 nursing students were recruited using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered using semistructured interviews and two focus groups.
Results: In the quantitative phase, two items were recognized as first priorities (Need assessment of each patient in each ward and protocol creation based on; and Good communication between the nurse and patient). In the qualitative phase, onemain-theme (Club of patient education problems) with two sub-themes (Educational and experimental problems; and communicational and managerial problems) emerged.
Conclusion: It is essential for the managers in all levels of nursing to try to equalize and integrate the educational and clinical opportunities in two more important and inseparable environments of college and hospital.
Practice Implications: It is possible that for the better education and implementation of the patient education courses for nursing students, particularly Iranian nursing students, the authorities of colleges and hospitals be able to use from the results of this research.