There are more and more studies being done that prove that those individuals with poor literacy also have poor health (Ross, 2013). To achieve better health outcomes for patients, there needs to be an understanding of literacy and its impact on the ability of the patient to learn. This paper will review literacy in our culture, instructional methods, and instructional materials that are used in education in health care.
Chapter 7: Literacy in the Adult Client Population
To begin understanding literacy in the adult client population, there first needs to be an understanding of the basic terms used to classify individuals in the different levels of literacy. First, literacy is the ability to read, write, and understand information that is …show more content…
Individuals that have poor reading and comprehensive skills than the average American fall into one of the following categories: economically disadvantaged, older adults, illegal immigrants, English as a second language, racial minorities, high school dropouts, unemployed, prisoners, inner-city residents, rural residents, on Medicaid, and those with poor health status resulting from chronic mental and physical problems. Furthermore, studies show the reason for the increase in illiteracy in the United States, besides what has been listed previously, is due to the following: growing quantities and complexities of information, a larger number of those living in poverty, changes for public education with financial support and policies, and disparities with the minority and nonminority groups. Even more surprising is that those who struggle with literacy have average or above average IQ’s, can be well dressed and speak eloquently, come from various backgrounds, majority are white, native born Americans, and the number of years of schooling overestimates reading levels by four to five grade levels. Finally, those who have trouble reading will go great distances not to be discovered even when directly asked about reading ability (Bastable, …show more content…
To begin with, the characteristics of the lecture method is that the student is passive and must have cognitive knowledge to build on, the teacher presents the information, cost effective, and can reach large groups, but is not individualized. I would use this when teaching large groups of patients or clients in a class setting that meets more than once. This would require time for the clients to obtain or learn the information. As a result, the education for discharge planning starts on the day of admission and not on the day of discharge (Bastable,
Chapter 7: Literacy in the Adult Client Population
To begin understanding literacy in the adult client population, there first needs to be an understanding of the basic terms used to classify individuals in the different levels of literacy. First, literacy is the ability to read, write, and understand information that is …show more content…
Individuals that have poor reading and comprehensive skills than the average American fall into one of the following categories: economically disadvantaged, older adults, illegal immigrants, English as a second language, racial minorities, high school dropouts, unemployed, prisoners, inner-city residents, rural residents, on Medicaid, and those with poor health status resulting from chronic mental and physical problems. Furthermore, studies show the reason for the increase in illiteracy in the United States, besides what has been listed previously, is due to the following: growing quantities and complexities of information, a larger number of those living in poverty, changes for public education with financial support and policies, and disparities with the minority and nonminority groups. Even more surprising is that those who struggle with literacy have average or above average IQ’s, can be well dressed and speak eloquently, come from various backgrounds, majority are white, native born Americans, and the number of years of schooling overestimates reading levels by four to five grade levels. Finally, those who have trouble reading will go great distances not to be discovered even when directly asked about reading ability (Bastable, …show more content…
To begin with, the characteristics of the lecture method is that the student is passive and must have cognitive knowledge to build on, the teacher presents the information, cost effective, and can reach large groups, but is not individualized. I would use this when teaching large groups of patients or clients in a class setting that meets more than once. This would require time for the clients to obtain or learn the information. As a result, the education for discharge planning starts on the day of admission and not on the day of discharge (Bastable,