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Learn MoreThis blog post is the third of three excerpts from our recent article, Prioritizing Health Literacy in Your Organization Will Improve Patient Access While Cutting Costs.
There is definitely a link between health literacy and health outcomes, but unfortunately only a small portion of Americans have an adequate level of understanding that is needed to manage their health effectively. While government agencies are making efforts to improve the health of Americans by creating accessible health information, healthcare professionals and systems must work at the same time to ensure patients are receiving understandable health services and information. Improving access of patients to health information has the potential to improve patient health, increase the use of preventive services, decrease the rate of hospitalization, and cut exorbitant healthcare costs.
What Should We Do to Improve Health Literacy?
Evaluating your organization’s existing approach to health literacy and communication can serve as an initial indicator for what work needs to be done. ODPHP (2006) suggests considering the following four overarching strategies when first addressing health literacy at your organization:
In addition to these general approaches, the following specific strategies can help your organization navigate the work of developing appropriate health communication from healthcare professionals to people of all levels of health literacy.
Pay Attention to Communication
The ODPHP (2010) suggests using targeted approaches to communication and tailoring programs to meet the needs of low health literacy groups to improve outcomes among patients with limited health literacy.
Additionally, using plain language, which is defined by ODPHP (2006) as “communication that users can understand the first time they read or hear it,” is an important strategy for improving health literacy.
Implement the Health Literate Care Model
HHS developed a Health Literate Care Model that can be used as a universal precautions approach to serving patients while keeping health literacy a priority. It incorporates health literacy principles from the Universal Precautions Toolkit into the Chronic Care Model and suggests that healthcare providers do the following: “Approach all patients as if they are at risk of not understanding health information, employ a range of strategies for clear communication, and confirm that patients understand what providers are saying” (ODPHP, 2018).
Utilize Health Literacy Online
When designing a website or digital health information, Health Literacy Online is a research-based guide provided by HHS that aids in creating effective products for all users—including those with limited health literacy skills (ODPHP, 2018).
References
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2006). Quick guide to health literacy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/Quickguide.pdf
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2010). National action plan to improve health literacy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://health.gov/communication/HLActionPlan/pdf/Health_Literacy_Action_Plan.pdf
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2018). Health literacy and communication. Retrieved from https://health.gov/communication/
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View All Learning & PerformanceHealthStream offers performance learning management solutions to help develop your healthcare staff into leaders and reduce turnover.
View All ProductsHealthStream works with healthcare organizations to create engaging and high-quality training videos for your staff and management.
View All ProductsImprove care quality and save money by making informed decisions about your healthcare facility and staff with HealthStream's reporting analytics solution.
View All ProductsHealthStream's proven methods for the improvement and overall engagement of your healthcare staff foster a positive workplace and increase retention rates.
View All ProductsWhen you enact HealthStream's quality compliance solutions, you can do so with the confidence your healthcare organization will meet all standards of care.
View All Quality & ComplianceBe confident in your staff’s ability to reduce risk by providing compliance training that changes behavior.
View All ProductsDevelop next-level people for next-level care by prioritizing quality and safety improvements.
View All ProductsEstablish a culture of belonging with education supporting DEI, wellness, engagement, and leadership development.
View All ProductsUtilize patient access solutions and advanced reimbursement solutions to manage clinical denials and improve your organization’s reimbursement strategy.
View All ReimbursementExpand the decision-making skills and effectiveness of your healthcare workforce with HealthStream's clinical development programs and services.
View All Clinical DevelopmentLearn about our advanced resuscitation training solutions. Our solutions are designed to help improve patient outcomes.
View All ProductsOur competency development solutions personalize learning for clinicians to bridge the gap between theory and practice for your nurse residents.
View All ProductsEnhance maternal & child nursing care with solutions focused on improving the quality of care for mothers, infants, and children.
View All ProductsAddress staffing orientation challenges to easily achieve and maintain certification with our emergency and acute care training solutions.
View All ProductsAs a premier provider of healthcare education, we are committed to promoting safer, more successful surgical and sedation outcomes for each and every patient.
View All ProductsOur solutions are designed to cater to the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations dealing with illnesses or chronic conditions.
View All ProductsMake sure your healthcare staff can schedule out appointments and work schedules with ease using HealthStream's line of software solutions.
View All SchedulingHealthcare workforce management is essential. We provide advanced scheduling solutions for organizations to solve issues such as nurse retention
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