Transcript Health Literacy Awareness - Georgia Health Sciences Library

Health Literacy Awareness
THE NEED TO CREATE HEALTH LITERATE ENVIRONMENTS
GLENDA D. KNIGHT, PHD, MPH, CHES
CUT TING EDGE HEALTH OPTIONS
What is Health Literacy?
 “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain
process, and understand basic health information and services
needed to make appropriate health decision.” (IOM, 2004)
 “An individual’s possession of requisite skills for making health
related decisions, which means that health literacy must always be
examined in the context of the specific tasks that need to be
accomplished, The importance of contextual appreciation of health
literacy must be underscored.” (Paasche-Orlow & Woof, 2006)
More Than Reading and Understanding
Health Information
Health literacy is a powerful determinant of health status.
It incorporates:
 Educational
 Cultural Values
 Social Behaviors
 Health Care System Design
These are factors which influence expectations and preferences of
individuals – they ultimately determine patient successes/challenges
Who Is Affected By
Limited Health Literacy?
National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) 1992/2003
Level 1 - Below Basic – 14% (functionally illiterate)
Level 2 – Basic – 29% (marginally literate)
Levels 3 and 4 – Intermediate – 44% (fully functional in society)
Level 5 – Proficient – 13%
(another 5% of adults non-literate in English)
Total - 48% encounter challenges navigating health system
Limited Health Literacy
Affects All Groups
But… it is more prevalent among:
 Older adults
 Persons with low income
 Persons with limited education
 Minority populations
 Persons with limited English proficiency
Common Signs of
Limited Health Literacy
Element of Shame and Discomfort
 Reluctant to complete medical forms in clinical environment
 Tend to skip medical appointments
 Don’t follow medical instructions
 Express need to take medical instructions home
 Complain of poor eye-sight or having left reading glasses at home
 Express need to discuss health situation with family
Effects of Limited Health Literacy
More emergency room services
 Hospitalized more often / with longer stays
 Tend to not use preventive care
 More doctor visits
 Don’t understand their medical condition
 Don’t adhere to medical regimens
 Tend to be victims of delayed diagnosis
 At risk for poor health status
 At risk for increased mortality
 Increase cost of health care
Tremendous impact on healthcare system and society!
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Strategies to Improve
Health Literacy
Improving Health literacy
 Patients and Caregivers
 Health Care Practitioners / Staff
 Health Care Providers / Organizations /Staff
Librarians (Medical, Public, Academic)
Ultimate goal is to provide information that is understood
(or effective communication)
Patients and Caregivers Can Improve
Health Literacy
 Write down questions for doctor at home, take to doctor visits
 Write down important information during doctor visits
 Ask practitioners to slow down and use plain language
 Ask questions when information is not understood
 Take initiative to learn about disease or health condition
 Take along a relative or friend to doctor visits (re-enforcement)
 Take advantage of available resources (Pamphlets, booklets, brochures)
 Use the “Ask Me 3” method
(What is my main problem? What should I do? Why is it important?)
Practitioners Can Improve
Health Literacy
 Slow the pace of providing information
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Use images or pictures to provide information
Use Plain Language, and short sentences
Help patients understand their diseases, medications, and treatments
Allow time during patient visit to answer questions
Call patients after visits to answer questions they may have
Use teach back method (ask patients to repeat back information)
Develop written material at appropriate grade level
Develop patient-friendly, shame free environments
Health Care Organizations Can Improve
Health Literacy
 Provide easy access to information, services, and navigation assistance
 Design and distribute educational material that’s easy to understand
Address Health literacy in high risk situations (transitions, medication
instructions)
 Communicate what health plans cover and what individuals must pay
 Use health literacy strategies to communicate and confirm patient
understanding
Librarians Can Improve
Health Literacy
Become Change Agents
 Partner with patient care teams to assist patients/patrons who have difficulty
understanding health information.
 Partner with health education staff to improve the staff’s ability to
communicate more effectively with patients.
Partner with Quality Assurance programs to implement procedures to improve
patient understanding.
 Develop and implement library services to help both health professionals and
the general public improve their health literacy status.
Librarians Can Improve
Health Literacy
Health Literacy Reference Guide for Librarians
The Medical Library Association Guide to Health Literacy. Edited by Marge Kars, Linda M.
Baker, and Feleta L. Wilson. New York, NT: Neal-Schuman Publishers; 2008. 314 p. ISBN
978-1-55570-625-8.
Composed of 16 chapters divided into four parts:
Part I – Health Literacy: Understanding the Issues
Part II – Health Literacy Issues in Special Populations
Part III – Health Literacy Issues in Public and Hospital Libraries
Part IV – The Future: Ways to Initiate and Become Involved in Health Literacy Programs