Welcome to "Health Talkin'
with Doc Griggs". In
conjunction with the Xavier
School of Pharmacy Health
and Wellness Center, we
will discuss topics that we
find most relevant in our
community. Our shared goal is
to help you "Get Checked. Get
Fit. Get Moving! ™"
This month we tackle...
Health
Talkin'
with
Health Literacy?
Authors: Mayer, Veronica; Kirchain, William, Pharm D; Griggs, Eric, MD
References:
1. Barry, M. M., D'Eath, M., & Sixsmith,
J. (2013). Interventions for improving
population health literacy: insights from
a rapid review of the evidence. Journal of
Health Communication, 18(12), 1507-
1522. doi:10.1080/10810730.2013.840
699
2. Berkman, N. D., Davis, T. C., &
McCormack, L. (2010). Health
literacy: what is it? Journal of Health
Communication, 15 Suppl 29-19. doi:10.1
080/10810730.2010.499985
3. Hadley, H., & Catanese, L. (2010).
Improving health literacy: helping your
patients understand. Connecticut
Medicine, 74(3), 183-184.
4. Rosenblatt, M., & Myers, L. (2016).
Communication Is Part of the Cure:
Improving Health Literacy. Journal of
Health Communication, 21 Suppl 11-2.
doi:10.1080/10810730.2015.1131778
Health information is the bridge
between patients and their health
care providers. It usually comes from
conversations between patients and
doctors. But can also come from
consent forms, brochures and even
health-related advertisements in
magazines or on television.4
The government agency that tracks
these things, reported that low health
literacy is linked to more hospital
stays and greater use of emergency
rooms.3 Health literacy is your ability
to obtain and grasp information
needed to make decisions about
your health.3 Reading, listening and
decision-making are skills that make
up health literacy. These skills allow
you to be more involved in your
treatment.1 Since health literacy
guides healthy behavior and the use
of health services, it can later affect
health outcomes and costs.2 Low
health literacy can even impact the
health system’s ability to provide
effective care.
Although it is the healthcare
provider’s duty to make health
information easy to understand, you
can take steps to improve your health
literacy. Asking questions until you
understand what the doctor, nurse
or pharmacist is saying is the place
to start. It is okay to ask what words
mean. Most healthcare people did not
understand these words when they
first heard them either. Have a list
of what you want to know with you.
Do not leave until you have asked the
questions on your list.
After your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist gives you instructions,
repeat those instructions in your own
words. Try the phrase, "Let me see
if I understand this." This gives you
a chance to check what you heard.
Then teach the information back to
them.
These are just a few suggestions
you can use to improve your own
health and the health of those you
care about. Health information can
be confusing but doctors, pharmacists
and nurses are great resources that
are available in the community.
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