Health literacy: Transform your patient conversations
As physicians and APPs, you know how crucial it is for patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment plans. But how often do you stop to assess how well they truly grasp the information you’re sharing?
In this Q&A, Arooj Kayani, MD, member of the HonorHealth Literacy Committee, shares how you can incorporate health literacy into your everyday practice and improve patient outcomes.
Q: Why is health literacy so important in healthcare?
A: Open transparent communication is key to developing a trusting partnership with your patients. When patients fully understand their condition, treatment options and what to expect, they’re more likely to follow through with treatment and see better outcomes.
For patients with chronic conditions, it’s important that they understand the future trajectory of their illness and what to expect. This way, they aren’t blindsided by changes in their condition, and they can set realistic expectations for themselves and their families.
Q: How can you incorporate health literacy into your practice?
A: Health literacy starts with clear, patient-friendly communication. Don’t assume patients understand their diagnosis—whether it’s COPD, cancer or anything else. Instead, use simple terms to walk them through lab results, X-rays and CT scans so they can see what’s happening in their bodies. Written materials and handouts are also helpful. In the inpatient setting, you can provide detailed discharge notes outlining medications, follow-up care and instructions, ensuring they leave with a clear plan and no confusion.
Q: How can you overcome health literary challenges?
A: Time is the biggest challenge. With limited appointment slots, it’s tough to give in-depth education or tackle complex issues. You can overcome this by prepping ahead and reviewing patient charts so you can focus on the key points during the visit. For more complicated cases, allocate extra time, ensuring patients have the space to ask questions and fully understand their care. Having a strong office team and easy access to educational materials is also important.
Q: How can you collaborate with others to improve health literacy?
A: Health literacy isn’t just about the patient-physician relationship, it’s a team effort. You can work closely with your team to ensure they fully understand the care plan and can share the information with patients and their families. Collaborate with specialists and other providers to ensure seamless communication across the board. When everyone is on the same page, it cuts down on confusion and improves patient outcomes.
Take action
As medical professionals, we have the power to help our patients make more informed decisions about their care, leading to better adherence, fewer complications and stronger patient-provider relationships.
By making health literacy a priority, you’ll not only improve your patient’s health outcomes but also enhance their overall experience with the care you provide.
Have questions or want to learn more?
If you have any questions or need resources on how make health literacy a priority in your practice, you can reach out to HonorHealth Health Literacy team at [email protected]. They will help you get the most out of your patient visits.