- Establish a trusting relationship.
- Invite a second person to attend the teaching session, if appropriate.
- Discuss with the person what he/she can and want to do.
- Limit information to essentials for achieving desired behaviors. Be realistic.
- Plan what to say and organize information with the three most important points. (Frame the message first.)
- Slow down!
- Use common words consistently — no medical jargon.
- Define terms.
- Make instructions concrete/specific and vivid rather than general.
- Teach one step at a time.
- Break down complex instructions.
- Make time for the patient to tell his/her story and express feelings.
- Use a variety of teaching methods and tools.
- Use techniques of tailoring and cuing.
- Verify patient understanding by using teach-back technique and problem-solving situations.
- Use praise and rewards.
Source: The Ohio State University AHEC Health Literacy Program, Columbus.
Practical tips from The Ohio State University AHEC Health Literacy Program in Columbus.
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