Health Literacy A Summary for Respiratory Care Students

The Problem—our side Our health care education, –Varied, for some, as much as 20 years Common talk is filled is jargon and acronyms—COPD, CVA, CABG, etc. Technological advances—ventilators, IV pumps, monitoring equipment, etc. Proliferation of tests

The Problem-the patients’ side Approx. 90 million Americans or about half the population has trouble or difficulty using and understanding medical and health care information “health literacy”--Obtain, process and understand information to make decisions about health care

Literacy and Health Poorer overall health Less likely to make use of screening Present in later stages of disease More likely to be hospitalized Poorer understanding of treatment Less likely to stick to medical regimens

Why at Risk? Patient instruction is based on written words Health care system is now more complex –More medications (e.g., asthma medications) –More tests and procedures –More specialists –More emphasis on self-care

Poor Reading Skills Correlate with Less Knowledge of Asthma

Best predictor of health status Better than –employment status –Age –Income –Racial or ethnic group –Education level

Levels of Illiteracy Level 1 –Can sign name –Cannot read bus schedule –Cannot enter information on a government application

Level 2 –Can find location on a map, e.g., intersection of two streets –Can determine difference on price on tickets –Cannot read bus schedule consistently –Cannot identify information on a bar graph –Cannot write a letter of complaint

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Major Problems Medications Appointments Informed consents Discharge instructions Health education materials Insurance applications and forms

Changes in System 35 yrs agoToday Acute MI Tx4-6 wks rest2-4 days Available Rx drugs65010,000+

Aging and Literacy 44% had inadequate literacy levels Were not able to understand: –Take medications q 6 hours48% –Identify next appointment27% –Take on an empty stomach54%

What Works? Teach back Shame free Use common words Simple, specific, direct sentences Sequence ideas clearly and logically Attentive to culture Attentive to age, especially seniors

Therapeutic Communication