A patient education system includes a server computer and a wireless tablet computer. A database on the server includes a number of default "presentation prescriptions," each of which is a listing of educational sub-topics selected to provide an overview of a medical condition for patient education purposes. Each sub-topic has a corresponding content file (e.g., film clip) stored on the tablet computer. In operation, one of the default prescriptions is selected for providing educational content relevant to a patient's medical condition. Some of the sub-topics may be removed for customizing the default prescription. The tablet computer is given to the patient, and an education presentation is displayed according to the presentation prescription, e.g., the content files that correspond to the topics in the selected presentation prescription are sequentially displayed. The patient's progress in viewing the presentation may be tracked, including the patient's answers to any questions in the presentation.