Literacy is Essential for the Health and Well Being of Our Community
The National Institute of Health defines health literacy as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
Healthcare professionals must ensure that patients understand what is being said and done and what their choices are. Informed consent should be a process of communication between a patient and their doctor that results in the patient’s full understanding.
Patients With Low Literacy Are At Risk
Patients with low literacy are at risk because of the growing demands placed on them by their condition, health care decisions and the growing complexity of the healthcare system.
Patients are at risk because of the complicated way that health professionals communicate with patients.
Patients are at risk because of the current healthcare system that often assumes limitless health literacy and requires self-advocacy.
Patients with poor health literacy are five times more likely to misinterpret their prescriptions than those with adequate skills.
Low health literacy equals problems with medications, appointment slips, informed consent, discharge instructions, health education materials, insurance applications, having excess hospitalizations, being misdiagnosed and having poor health outcomes.
Patients are at risk because of the complicated way that health professionals communicate with patients.
Patients are at risk because of the current healthcare system that often assumes limitless health literacy and requires self-advocacy.
Patients with poor health literacy are five times more likely to misinterpret their prescriptions than those with adequate skills.
Low health literacy equals problems with medications, appointment slips, informed consent, discharge instructions, health education materials, insurance applications, having excess hospitalizations, being misdiagnosed and having poor health outcomes.
Poor Health Literacy has Serious Financial Consequences on the Health Care System. People with low functional health literacy have higher health care costs and are more likely to receive health care through publicly financed programs or walk into an emergency room as their only and last resort for care. Emergency room patients with inadequate literacy are twice as likely to be hospitalized as those with adequate literacy.
From 2006 -2007 the percent of adults, age 18 to 65, reporting their health status as “fair or poor” was highest among high school dropouts (20%) and lowest among those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (4 to 5%).
75% of Americans who reported having a long-term illness (six months or more) had limited literacy.
In 2001, low functional literacy resulted in an estimated $32 to $58 billion in additional health care costs.
From 2006 -2007 the percent of adults, age 18 to 65, reporting their health status as “fair or poor” was highest among high school dropouts (20%) and lowest among those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (4 to 5%).
75% of Americans who reported having a long-term illness (six months or more) had limited literacy.
In 2001, low functional literacy resulted in an estimated $32 to $58 billion in additional health care costs.
Patients Hide Limited Literacy Skills
Low level readers will not always let us know of their low skills and often hide their literacy challenges. This leads to patient materials that are too difficult and people not understanding the information needed to live a healthy lifestyle.
Patients with limited reading ability may feel ashamed, embarrassed, anxious, and even angry. They will protect themselves in Health Care Settings. They may bring someone who can read, watch other people and do what they do, pretend they can read, use humor and let the doctor or nurse miss the concern, make excuses, be demanding, ask other patients, never ask for help or seek help only when illness is advanced. They may be quiet, passive or just walk out of the waiting room.
Patients with limited reading ability may feel ashamed, embarrassed, anxious, and even angry. They will protect themselves in Health Care Settings. They may bring someone who can read, watch other people and do what they do, pretend they can read, use humor and let the doctor or nurse miss the concern, make excuses, be demanding, ask other patients, never ask for help or seek help only when illness is advanced. They may be quiet, passive or just walk out of the waiting room.
NewWays Health Literacy Consulting Can Help You and Your Staff.
We can assess the effectiveness of office space, waiting rooms, check in procedures and written materials for patients.
We will help you conduct patient-centered visits, explain things clearly using plain language, create check-in procedures that are patient-friendly and create easy-to-follow instructions for patients.
A patient/learner centered environment and patient-friendly educational materials will enhance interaction, ensure informed consent and ensure the health and vitality of our community.
We will help you conduct patient-centered visits, explain things clearly using plain language, create check-in procedures that are patient-friendly and create easy-to-follow instructions for patients.
A patient/learner centered environment and patient-friendly educational materials will enhance interaction, ensure informed consent and ensure the health and vitality of our community.
NewWays Learning and Literacy Consulting
Shane Desautels, MA. M.Div. Director
773-322-9668 newwayslearning@gmail.com
Shane Desautels, MA. M.Div. Director
773-322-9668 newwayslearning@gmail.com