Health literacy practices in primary care settings: examples from the field
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Contributor(s):
- Barrett, Sharon E. Puryear, Jennifer Sheen. Westpheling, Kathie. Commonwealth Fund.
- Publication:
- [New York, N.Y.] : Commonwealth Fund, [2008]
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Educational Status Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Patient Education as Topic Primary Health Care Communication Communication Barriers Health Education Patient Care Team Physician-Patient Relations Practice Patterns, Physicians' Humans United States
- Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- Low health literacy is widespread among U.S. patients, yet limited research has been done to assess the effects of health literacy practices designed to combat the problem, particularly among safety-net providers in primary care settings. This report presents findings from a 2005 study in which the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved first did an online survey of health care facilities across the country and then followed it up with visits to five selected sites for staff and patient interviews. The study identified five health literacy practices that staff considered especially valuable for their group's patients and potentially applicable to other clinics: a team effort, beginning at the front desk; use of standardized communication tools; use of plain language, face-to-face communication, pictorials, and educational materials; clinicians partner with patients to achieve goals; and organizational commitment to create an environment where health literacy is not assumed.
- Copyright:
- Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 101468919 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101468919