Health Literacy Background

Page 1: Introduction

Health Literacy Background

Presented by Caitlin Fitzgerald, PT, DPT

Page 2: Updated Definitions

Personal Health Literacy:

  • Defined as the ability to find, understand, and effectively use health-related information and services to make informed health decisions for oneself and others. This encompasses not just the retrieval of information but also the skills necessary to interpret and apply this information in various health contexts.

Organizational Health Literacy:

  • Refers to an organization’s ability to provide equitable access to health information and services. This includes ensuring that health information is understandable, culturally appropriate, and effectively disseminated to meet the needs of diverse populations.

Changes to Previous Definitions:

  • The updated definitions emphasize the importance of health literacy in the usage of health information, moving beyond mere understanding.

  • Focuses on facilitating "well-informed" decisions rather than just “appropriate” ones to enhance overall health outcomes and patient empowerment.

  • The inclusion of a public health perspective highlights the broader impact of health literacy on community health.

  • Acknowledges the crucial role of healthcare organizations in addressing issues of health literacy to enable better health outcomes for patients.

Page 3: Current Health Literacy Situation

2006 National Survey Findings:

  • Alarmingly, 88% of U.S. adults lack the necessary skills to navigate the healthcare system effectively. This poses significant barriers to accessing appropriate care.

  • 36% of adults are observed to experience limited health literacy, which exacerbates their health challenges.

Negative Outcomes of Limited Health Literacy:

  • Limited health literacy leads to restrictive knowledge about health problems, resulting in individuals being ill-equipped to manage their health.

  • There is a notable increase in medication errors among individuals with low health literacy, which can lead to serious health repercussions.

  • Such limitations also correlate with higher usage rates of emergency services and inpatient care due to a lack of preventative measures being utilized, ultimately leading to poorer health status.

  • These factors contribute to increased healthcare costs for both individuals and health systems, signifying a pressing public health concern.

Page 4: Risk Factors & Health Disparities

Factors Influencing Health Literacy:

  • Individuals from impoverished backgrounds are often affected by low educational attainment and inadequate insurance status, which hinder their ability to access and comprehend health information.

  • Ethnic and racial minorities face additional challenges, particularly those who are not fluent in English, thereby limiting their interaction with health services and information.

  • Older adults, particularly those aged 65 and older, often struggle with health literacy, influenced by cognitive decline and chronic health conditions.

Improvements Needed:

  • Health practices and communication strategies must be designed with an understanding that many patients may have low health literacy, with the aim of reducing disparities in care.

  • Healthcare providers should adopt communicative approaches that presume comprehension difficulties among all patients and utilize clear, straightforward language in their dialogues.

Page 5: Healthy People 2030 Goals

Focus Areas:

  • The initiative aims to eliminate health disparities by enhancing health literacy among vulnerable populations.

Goal Metrics:

  • Increase the percentage of adults who report that their healthcare providers have confirmed their understanding of health information post-consultation.

  • Reduce instances of poor communication as reported by patients, which is critical for improving health outcomes.

  • Foster shared decision-making by actively involving patients in decisions regarding their health care plans.

  • Improve the clarity and accessibility of online medical records, ensuring they can be navigated by patients with varying degrees of health literacy.

  • Enhance communication experiences for adults with limited English proficiency, providing suitable language support in healthcare settings.

Page 6: Role of Healthcare Professionals

Contributions of Physical Therapists & Assistants:

  • Physical therapists and assistants play a pivotal role in confirming understanding during patient communications. This is essential for ensuring that patients are actively engaged in their care plans.

  • Evidence-based research supports the implementation of the Teach Back Method, which encourages providers to ask patients to explain back the information shared, thereby affirming their understanding.

Page 7: Shared Decision Making in Healthcare

Current Engagement Levels:

  • According to 2017 data, only 52.8% of adults reported sufficient involvement in healthcare decisions, highlighting a significant gap in patient engagement that needs addressing.

Models for Shared Decision Making:

  • 4 HABITS Model: Focuses on understanding patients’ needs and sharing clinical information.

  • Kalamazoo Model: Emphasizes effective communication during healthcare interactions to improve comprehension.

  • REDE Model: This model is set to launch next year and aims to integrate patient preferences and values thoroughly into clinical decision-making.

Page 8: Improving Communication

Effective Communication Techniques:

  • Shift the approach from asking, "Do you have any questions?" to a more inviting, "What questions do you have?" This fosters a more open dialogue and encourages patient engagement.

Page 9: Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit

Toolkit Overview:

  • Developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the toolkit has reached its 2nd edition, targeting the simplification of care complexity and the enhancement of patient understanding across all levels of health literacy.

Page 10: Toolkit Domains

Key Areas of Focus:

  • Improve supportive systems for patients by creating an environment that promotes health literacy and communication.

  • Empower patients to engage in self-management practices that foster better health outcomes.

  • Enhance both written and spoken communication to ensure clarity and effectiveness in patient-provider interactions.

Page 11: Operating Assumptions

Core Assumption:

  • It is assumed that all patients have the potential to experience difficulty in understanding health information and navigating healthcare services, necessitating tailored communication strategies.

Aims:

  • Simplify communication efforts and verify patient understanding to reduce instances of misunderstandings.

  • Streamline navigation through the healthcare environment, making it more accessible.

  • Support comprehensive health improvement efforts through patient education and empowerment initiatives.

Page 12: Evolving Patient Expectations

Patient Experience Continuum:

  • Patients face increasing complexities from the pre-visit process to post-checkout, involving multiple stages: scheduling, registration, comprehending history-gathering questions, clinician visits, and following up effectively.