Health Literacy

What is health literacy? The knowledge of health information relating to you or the patient for example directions on how to correctly take medicine or correctly administer medication

What is health illiteracy? Lack of understanding medical terms or procedures

How does it affect the patient? How does it affect the population as a whole?

It intimidates the patient making them feel less of a person who is seeking the help from a care provider because they do not have the knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. This can affect the population by causing medical fees to increase due to frequent emergency room visits, andlife threatening situations.

What are the factors that affect health literacy?

Communication skills, self-esteem, disabilities rather it be mental or physical

What are some of the behaviors/copings skills of those with limited literacy skills?

Nurses can help their patients understand by finding a way to communicate on their level of understanding that is easy for them to approach without help.

How can you test for health literacy?

Speak to the person about what they believe is going on in their bodies, or what their problem may be while asking what do they think can help them. Assessments used while they talk to you noticing pain, discomfort, faces or expressions that may be relating to something else that they are not able to explain.

Do you think this is a big problem? Why or why not? Yes, this can be a huge problem due to the lack of communication skills that one possesses. There can be many health issues ignored because someone cannot properly speak on their condition.

What can be done/is being done to solve this?

Ask the patient to try their best to their ability to explain what they are feeling or need help with in regards to taking care of themselves and if there is anything you can do to assist them with help. Rather it is making charts or setting reminders for them to easily understand.