Making appropriate health care decisions depends on a person’s literacy; the ability to process and understand the healthiness information provided by clinicians (U. S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS], 2008). Only 12% of the American population is able to thoroughly process the exchange of health information; and, the remaining population have medium to low literacy levels with the inability to comprehend all or some of what the clinician is telling them when providing treatment or discharge details (HHS, 2008). Further determinants causing health care illiteracy is ethnic and racial disparities, poverty, and being uneducated and uninsured (HHS, 2008). Nurses can promote effective communication by identifying clues that a person
…show more content…
Additionally, the exchange of health information during a patient visit is limited to 3 tasks, written communication provided is in the 5th or 6th grade level or lower, and patients are to demonstrate or reiterate what they have learned (Hersh, Salzman, & Snyderman, 2015). During verbal communication, health care professionals are recommended to use simple and non-medical language when teaching their patients three major points, communicate clearly the instructions at least twice, and verify understanding. While sharing written information, use brief and uncomplicated sentence structure precluding words with more than two syllables. Also, visual aids are successful in sharing health information when using simple pictures, models and videos (Hersh, Salzman, & Snyderman, 2015). Using the health literacy precautions method is acceptable to use for all patients, at all educational levels. During the physical therapy appointment, if pictures or visual aids had been provided when demonstrating the soup can exercise, the patient’s safety and quality of care and dignity is maintained. A breakdown in communication is when the health care provider fails to be sensitive, thereby, causing embarrassment, and creating mistrust in the patient and clinician relationship (Hersh, Salzman, &
Additionally, the exchange of health information during a patient visit is limited to 3 tasks, written communication provided is in the 5th or 6th grade level or lower, and patients are to demonstrate or reiterate what they have learned (Hersh, Salzman, & Snyderman, 2015). During verbal communication, health care professionals are recommended to use simple and non-medical language when teaching their patients three major points, communicate clearly the instructions at least twice, and verify understanding. While sharing written information, use brief and uncomplicated sentence structure precluding words with more than two syllables. Also, visual aids are successful in sharing health information when using simple pictures, models and videos (Hersh, Salzman, & Snyderman, 2015). Using the health literacy precautions method is acceptable to use for all patients, at all educational levels. During the physical therapy appointment, if pictures or visual aids had been provided when demonstrating the soup can exercise, the patient’s safety and quality of care and dignity is maintained. A breakdown in communication is when the health care provider fails to be sensitive, thereby, causing embarrassment, and creating mistrust in the patient and clinician relationship (Hersh, Salzman, &