Introduction to Health Information Literacy Developed by the Medical Library Association under contract and working with the National Library of Medicine April 2008

Learning Objectives Describe the impact low health literacy has on quality patient care Define health information literacy and the challenges patients and consumer face List five Internet-based consumer health information resources Demonstrate the ability to use information Rx to improve health literacy Describe the health information literacy services provided your librarian

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 decisions. Healthy People 2010

What Does Low Health Literacy Look Like? This slide contains a video clip of patients discussing their health literacy experiences. Patients describe their difficulties reading medication labels, understanding informed consent, and following instructions. You Cant Tell by Looking by AMA Foundation Health Literacy

Why is Health Literacy Important? Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a barrier to quality health care and is linked to: Increased medical error Poor knowledge about health Under utilization of preventive health care Increased hospitalization Increased health care costs Poor health outcomes

Why Now? Healthy People 2010 (DHHS 2000) Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion (IOM 2004) Evidence Report/Literacy and Health (AHRQ 2004) 17th Surgeon General of the United States - Dr. Richard Carmona (2006)

Why Hospitals? The safety of patients cannot be assured without mitigating the negative effects of low health literacy and ineffective communication on patient care. The Joint Commission

What is Health Information Literacy and What are the Challenges?

How is Information Critical to Health Literacy? Health information is key to : Effective patient and provider communication Shared health care decision making Understanding and following a treatment plan Recognizing when to seek care Learning about and adopting healthy behaviors

What is Health Information Literacy? The abilities needed to : Recognize a health information need Identify relevant sources of information Assess the quality of the information Use the information to make good health decisions

What are the Health Information Literacy Challenges? Health Literacy in the U.S. Readability of Health Information Computers and the Internet

Health Literacy in the U.S. Over 75 million adults have Basic and Below Basic health literacy Over 75 million adults have Basic and Below Basic health literacy Only 1 in 9 adults have proficient health literacy skills Only 1 in 9 adults have proficient health literacy skills Number & Percentage of Adults in Each Health Literacy Level Source: 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy. National Center for Education Statitics

Computers and the Internet 80% of Internet users search for health information 86% do not seek advice about which websites to use 72% express trust in most or all information found online 68% said online information impacted their health choices Source: Fox, S. & Fallows, D. Internet Health Resources. Washington, DC:Pew Internet & American Life Project (2003). Source: Fox, S. & Fallows, D. Internet Health Resources. Washington, DC: Pew Internet & American Life Project (2003).

Readability of Health Information Numerous student document health materials written at reading levels far exceeding patient skills More recent studies find similar results looking at the readability and usability of consumer health information resources

Health Information Literacy Resources

Consumer Health Information Websites Cancer.gov * Familydoctor.org * Healthfinder.gov * Kidshealth.org * AidsInfo.nih.gov CDC.gov * Medlineplus.gov * Noah-health.org * *Available in Spanish and/or other languages

Interactive Health Tutorials

NIHSeniorHealth.gov

Information for Parents, Kids, and Teens

Health Information Literacy Strategies

Deciphering Medspeak Medical Library Associations Consumer Health Brochures HIV Cancer Diabetes Asthma Others

Strategies to Improve Communication Limit information (3-5 key points) Use easy-to-read information and handouts to support learning Be specific and concrete, demonstrate Check for understanding, use a Teach Back or Show Me approach Acknowledge cultural differences

How Can Librarians Help? Help patients find information they can use and understand Fill Information Rxs with accurate and reliable information Teach patients and consumer Search skills Search skills Assessment skills Assessment skills

How Can Librarians Help? Free access to the Internet Patients information packets Consumer health information services – community outreach Health literacy training

Take Home Points Health information is essential to providing quality care Use Info Rx to refer patients to reliable health information and to the hospital library for support

Thank You! Questions Comments

References AHRQ ReportLiteracy and Health Outcomes (2004): AMA Foundation Health Literacy: assn.org/ama/pub/category/8115.html AMA Foundation Health Literacy: assn.org/ama/pub/category/8115.htmlwww.ama- assn.org/ama/pub/category/8115.htmlwww.ama- assn.org/ama/pub/category/8115.html Healthy People 2010 (2000): Healthy People 2010 Health Literacy Action Plan Communicating Health: Priorities and Strategies for Progress (2003): IOM ReportHealth Literacy: A Prescription To End Confusion (2004):

References NLM BibliographyUnderstanding Health Literacy and Its Barriers (2004): The Health Literacy of Americas Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy The Health Literacy of Americas Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy The Joint Commission Report: What did the Doctor Say?: Improving Health Literacy To Protect Patient Safety (2007): The Joint Commission Report: What did the Doctor Say?: Improving Health Literacy To Protect Patient Safety (2007): Medical Library Association, Top 10 Most Useful Websites Medical Library Association, Top 10 Most Useful Websites