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

2. 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

3. 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.
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

4. 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): Retrieved from:
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): Retrieved from:
Council on Early Childhood, High, P. C., & Klass, P. (2014). Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 134(2):
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

5. 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
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), Retrieved from:
Coulter, A. (2012). Patient Engagement – What Works? Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 35(2): doi: /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): doi: /amiajnl
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

6. 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
Statistics Canada. (2006). Building on Our Competencies: Canadian Results of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey. Retrieved from:
Statistics Canada. (2013). Skills in Canada: First results from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Retrieved from Publications/Attachments/315/Canadian-PIAAC-Report.EN.pdf
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

7. 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
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

8. 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.
Attitudes and practice of Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario) paediatricians and residents toward literacy promotion in Canada
Canadian Paediatric Society , Community Paediatrics Committee. (2006). Read, speak, sing. Paediatrics & Child Health, 11(9): Retrieved from:
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

9. 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
Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice
Canadian Paediatric Society , Community Paediatrics Committee. (2006). Read, speak, sing. Paediatrics & Child Health, 11(9): Retrieved from:
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

10. How to promote literacy in practice
Reach Out and Get Your Patients to Read:
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

11. 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: Age appropriate booklists, lists of multicultural books, and many more resources:
Reading Bears program and Reading Buddies program, as mentioned by Dr. Greenman
C&W Patient Experience May 2018

12. Questions?
C&W Patient Experience May 2018