What is the primary purpose of patient education prior to a procedure?

The primary purpose of patient education prior to a procedure is to ensure that informed consent is obtained. Informed consent is a critical element in medical practice, as it involves providing the patient with all necessary information about the procedure, including its purpose, potential risks and benefits, and any alternatives available. This education allows patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and empowers them to participate actively in their own treatment.

While making the patient feel comfortable and establishing a personal connection are important aspects of patient care, these elements serve more as supportive components rather than the primary objective. Discussing billing options is also relevant, but it is not fundamentally tied to the process of acquiring informed consent, which is predominantly focused on ensuring patient understanding and voluntary agreement to proceed with the procedure.