Improving care for low health literacy patients
Resources to use when creating a plan
There are many resources that help health care institutions develop strategies for teaching people how to appropriately access health care and use it to their best interest. Following is a description of two sites:
- www.healthliteracy.com The official web site of Health Literacy Consulting based in Natick, MA. In addition to a description of services offered by this company such as writing, editing, and workshops, the site has several resources. These resources include an archive of articles with titles such as: Actively listening for what patients do not say, Confirming understanding with the teach-back technique, and Using graphics and humor to convey healthcare essentials. Monthly tips are also posted such as how to use stories to explain health concepts and teaching in ways people learn.
- medicine.osu.edu/ahec/4977.cfm The Ohio State University Medical Center College of Medicine Area Health Education Center has details addressing health literacy in a section titled "Clear Health Communication Content." Information includes: Guidelines for selecting and writing easy-to-read materials, Getting your message across, Who's reading your writing: How difficult is your text? and Creating a shame-free and patient-centered environment for those with limited literacy skills. There are also details on consultative services such as training workshops, audience research, and developing and field testing new materials.
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