This study aims at implementing the teaching-learning strategy for families of patients in chronic conditions. It considers the importance of evaluating the needs and abilities of family members in order to prepare them to manage that situation appropriately, as well as to be able to provide adequate home care. A diagnostic evaluation of a family member/caretaker was conducted during the hospitalization of a patient with congestive cardiac insufficiency. During the diagnosis "knowledge deficit" was identified. Thus, a teaching plan was elaborated for such caretaker with the purpose of preparing him/her for home care. During implementation, formative evaluations were conducted with the purpose of learning about the efficacy of the strategies employed and the summative in the patient's home. The importance of nurses' resorting to the teaching-learning strategy in order to guide the family member/caretaker in the process of caring for people with chronic conditions was certified. The aim is promoting life, in spite of the disease, since the quality of such care will prevent aggravating recurrence and consequent re-hospitalizations.
teaching-learning; nursing diagnosis; family caretaker; chronic condition