Transcript Resources and Techniques for Teaching Health Literacy

Resources and Techniques for
Teaching Health Literacy
Lisa K. Southwick, MPAS, PA-C
University of New England
Portland, Maine
What Is Literacy?
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Literacy can be defined as a person’s
ability to read, write, speak, and
compute and solve problems at levels
necessary to:
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Function on the job and in society
Achieve one’s goals
Develop one’s knowledge and
potential
What Is Health Literacy?
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Health literacy is the degree to which
individuals have the capacity to obtain,
process, and understand basic health
information and services needed to
make appropriate health decisions.
What Is Health Literacy?
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Health literacy affects people’s ability to:
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Navigate the healthcare system, including filling
out complex forms and locating providers and
services
Share personal information, such as health history,
with providers
Engage in self-care and chronic-disease
management
Understand mathematical concepts such as
probability and risk
Why Is Health Literacy
Important?
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According to the IOM, ½ of the adult
population may lack skills to use the U.S.
healthcare system.
Low literacy has been linked to poor health
outcomes.
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Higher rates of hospitalization and inappropriate
use of emergency services
Lower use of preventive services and difficulty
managing chronic conditions
Higher healthcare costs
Why Should We Teach It?
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Good communication is crucial for a
successful clinician-patient relationship.
Studies have shown that effective
communication with patients has a
beneficial effect on medical outcomes
Breakdowns in communication can lead
to confusion, poor health outcomes,
and even malpractice lawsuits.
Resources and Techniques
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Introducing the topic
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AMA Foundation DVD “Health literacy and patient
safety: Help Patients Understand”
To order the AMA “Help Patients Understand” Kit:
http://www.amaassn.org/ama/pub/category/9913.html
Kits can be purchased for $35 through the above
web address or by calling (800) 621-8335. If
you're calling, mention AMA Bookstore Item
#0P221007.
Other Techniques
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Hands-on activity
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Word Challenge
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Intermittent
Hospitalization
Recommendation
Cardiovascular
Other?
Other Resources
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Unified Health Communication: Addressing Health Literacy,
Cultural Competence, and Limited English Proficiency, a free
on-line training sponsored by HRSA. It is worth 5 CME Credit
Hours for clinicians. Students take the “not for credit” option.
This outstanding on-line course is located at
http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/training.htm.
USDHHS Website “Tools for Improving Health Literacy”
http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/
Health Literacy: Prescription to End Confusion examines the
body of knowledge that applies to the field of health literacy, and
recommends actions to promote a health literate society and
can be purchased at the following website:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10883 Hardback
$44.96, PDF $38.50, Both $58.50
Bibliography
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AMA Foundation, Health Literacy and Patient Safety:
Help Patients Understand.
Unified Health Communication: Addressing Health
Literacy, Cultural Competence, and Limited English
Proficiency On-line Course
Maine Geriatric Education Center, "Health Literacy:
Skills for the Next Generation of Care Providers" A
24-hour continuing education program for health
professions faculty, May 19 & 20, 2008.
USDHHS Website “Tools for Improving Health
Literacy”