Promoting literacy in practice C&W’s Read to succeed program C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Overview Literacy v. health literacy How does literacy affect health? Literacy in Canada C&W’s Read to Succeed Program Promoting literacy in practice C&W Patient Experience May 2018

What is literacy? The ability to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts to participate in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. OECD Skills Outlook 2013: First Results from the Survey of Adult Skills. https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/Skills%20volume%201%20(eng)--full%20v12--eBook%20(04%2011%202013).pdf https://nces.ed.gov/naal/fr_tasks.asp C&W Patient Experience May 2018

How does literacy affect health Research shows that increased literacy can prevent health problems throughout a child’s life. Lower stress levels Higher economic potential Healthier lifestyle practices Greater social and emotional skills Stronger bonds with parents/caregivers Canadian Paediatric Society , Community Paediatrics Committee. (2006). Read, speak, sing. Paediatrics & Child Health, 11(9): 601-6. Retrieved from: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/read-speak-sing-promoting-literacy Baldwin, K., et al. (2011). Attitudes and Practice of Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario) Paediatricians and Residents Toward Literacy Promotion in Canada. Paediatrics & Child Health, 16(5): 38-42. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115000/ Council on Early Childhood, High, P. C., & Klass, P. (2014). Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 134(2): 404-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24962987 C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Health Literacy Health literacy is the ability to access, comprehend, evaluate and communicate information as a way to promote, maintain and improve health in a variety of settings across the life-course. Literacy is a contributing factor to health literacy. High health literacy benefits Shorter hospital stays Less frequent use of healthcare services Improved physician/patient relationships Improved health outcomes https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/health-literacy.html Carman, K. L., et al. (2013). Patient and Family Engagement: A Framework for Understanding the Elements and Developing Interventions and Policies. Health Affairs. 32(2), 223-231. Retrieved from: http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/32/2/223 Coulter, A. (2012). Patient Engagement – What Works? Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 35(2): 80-89. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0b013e318249e0fd Prey, J.E., et al. (2014). Patient Engagement in the Inpatient Setting: A Systematic Review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 21(4): 742-750. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2013-002141 C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Literacy in Canada 42% of Canadians do not have the literacy skills needed to complete everyday tasks. 45% of British Columbians… 60% of Canadians have low health literacy skills Over 88% of seniors have low health literacy skills https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/health-literacy.html Statistics Canada. (2006). Building on Our Competencies: Canadian Results of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-617-x/89-617-x2005001-eng.htm Statistics Canada. (2013). Skills in Canada: First results from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Retrieved from http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/ Publications/Attachments/315/Canadian-PIAAC-Report.EN.pdf C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Read to succeed program Literacy promotion for vulnerable children Started in 2013 in the Oak Tree and General Pediatric Clinics by pediatric residents, supported by program directors Dr. Laura Sauvé and Dr. Janet Greenman. Based on the US Reach Out and Read model: Reading volunteers read to children waiting for appointments Free books are available to all children who attend the clinics to take home Staff promote literacy during patient visits http://www.reachoutandread.org/ C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Early Literacy Literacy is fundamentally a paediatric issue because foundations for language and literacy skills are established early in a child’s life. Exposing children to language from six months onwards is the most important determinant of their later success in reading. The “richest language exposure occurs during reading.” Multiple studies show that caregivers are four times more likely to report reading aloud as a favourite activity when given a picture book by a healthcare provider. Eight times more likely among parents on welfare. http://www.reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ContempPeds_Jan2002.pdf Attitudes and practice of Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario) paediatricians and residents toward literacy promotion in Canada https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115000/ Canadian Paediatric Society , Community Paediatrics Committee. (2006). Read, speak, sing. Paediatrics & Child Health, 11(9): 601-6. Retrieved from: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/read-speak-sing-promoting-literacy C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Physicians and literacy promotion Research shows that caregivers listen and place more importance on reading to their children when they learn about literacy from a physician. Literacy education is “endorsed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the CPS. Beginning at the two-month appointment, reading encouragement is a suggested part of every well-child visit.” Parents rate physicians who demonstrate reading aloud and give books as more ‘helpful.’” Attitudes and practice of Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario) paediatricians and residents toward literacy promotion in Canada https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115000/ Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24962987 Canadian Paediatric Society , Community Paediatrics Committee. (2006). Read, speak, sing. Paediatrics & Child Health, 11(9): 601-6. Retrieved from: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/read-speak-sing-promoting-literacy C&W Patient Experience May 2018

How to promote literacy in practice Reach Out and Get Your Patients to Read: http://www.reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ContempPeds_Jan2002.pdf C&W Patient Experience May 2018

How to promote literacy to ESL/Low literacy families Literacy does not just mean reading and writing! Talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing all help prepare children to read. Encourage families to do all these activities in the language they are most comfortable with. Vancouver Public Library Early Language and Literacy workshops: https://www.vpl.ca/program/early-language-and-literacy-workshops Age appropriate booklists, lists of multicultural books, and many more resources: https://www.cps.ca/en/issues-questions/literacy https://www.cps.ca/en/issues-questions/literacy Reading Bears program http://thereadingbear.ca/about/ and Reading Buddies program, as mentioned by Dr. Greenman https://www.vpl.ca/program/reading-buddies-kids C&W Patient Experience May 2018

Questions? C&W Patient Experience May 2018