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Health literacy is when health providers and patients truly
understand one another.
As medical knowledge expands and new treatments are introduced,
it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a need for
better communication between physicians, other healthcare
professionals and patients. In many cases, physicians may
speak a language that is too technical and quite literally,
foreign to the average individual. Additionally, a significant
number of patients, especially the elderly and immigrants,
may not read well, and are thus unable to read medical forms,
understand consent agreements, and even take medications
in the appropriate manner. As more Americans are becoming
responsible for healthcare decisions, the need to improve
physician/patient communications and joint decision-making
becomes paramount. This half-hour program comprised of a
physician, nurse educator, and health communications expert
and patient exams effective strategies that help facilitate
greater understanding between patient and health professionals.
Understanding verbal and non-verbal cues, using pictures
to illustrate a point, and incorporating “teach-back”
techniques will also be examined during this segment.
Health Professionals – Communication Strategies
1. In general, know with whom you are communicating
and what potential language, cultural, physical, age, disability,
or cognitive/mental barriers may exist.
2. Don’t be afraid to communicate
in whatever way works, i.e., drawing pictures, acting out
required behaviors, using appropriate metaphors or analogies
etc.
3. Confirm understanding. Using phrases
like “Do you understand?” are ineffective. Instead,
utilize a “teach-back” technique by using phrases
like, “I want to make sure I explained this correctly…tell
me or show me what you will do when you go home.”
4. Make sure you understand what the patient
says.
5. Don’t pity the patient when giving
bad news – be empathic and honest and have treatment
alternatives.
Patient Strategies
1. Before you call a physician make notes
regarding your symptoms and pain.
2. Keep track of when the symptom starts,
how often it occurs, how long each episode lasts, and what
it looks like.
3. In describing the intensity of pain,
you can use Roberts' method of using a combination of numbers
and words. She not only rates the pain on a scale of 1 to
10, but also uses descriptive words to express her experience.
These include such words as "achy," "burning,"
"stabbing," "stiff," "tingly,"
"sore," and "annoying."
4. Bring a family member or friend with
you – not only for support but to ask questions and
make sure the information being communicated is understood
– completely.
5. If you use glasses or hearing aids,
wear these to your appointment.
6. Become knowledgeable about your diagnosed
condition and available treatment options.
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