Health Literacy

Let’s take a practical quiz – What do you do when you get sick?

A. Do nothing; just wait and maybe I will get better.
B. See a Doctor right away and follow his/her medical treatment/advice literally

If you choose A, how long would you wait if not getting better?
     C. less than 5 days
     D. more than 5 days
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If you choose B, which Doctor would you see/choose?
     E. My family doctor
     F. Don’t know; will need to find one.
There will be more and more questions coming up, if the course of illness continues and becomes more complicated…
As it may rain someday, we will get sick someday, naturally. Then, it comes to decisions, decisions, and decisions…… Health literacy is the essential foundation for health decision making.

Health Literacy is defined as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions," in the Institute of Medicine report, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion) .  Health literacy is not simply the ability to read. It requires a complex group of reading, listening, analytical, and decision-making skills, and the ability to apply these skills to health situations. For example, it includes the ability to understand instructions on prescription drug bottles, appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor's directions and consent forms, and the ability to negotiate complex health care systems.

Health Literacy Abilities
The complex medical information and treatment decisions can be challenging and require higher level of health literacy abilities, such as -
  • Access multiple health care services, i.e., Doctor’s office, Specialists, clinics, hospitals, labs, insurance agencies, etc
  • Communicate with health care and health insurance providers
  • Evaluate information received for credibility and quality
  • Search or request additional health information as needed
  • Consolidate and analyze all risks vs. benefits and hierarchy vs. urgency
  • Follow medical instructions and calculate medication dosages correctly
  • Interpret test results and outcomes
  • Plan follow-up or re-evaluation
  • Understand patient’s legal right and protections
In addition, oral language skills are important in communication with the healthcare providers. Patients need to express their health concerns and describe their symptoms accurately. They need to ask pertinent questions, and they need to understand spoken medical advice or treatment directions. In an age of shared responsibility between physician and patient for health care, patients need strong decision-making skills. With the development of the Internet as a source of health information, health literacy may also include the ability to search the Internet and evaluate Web sites.

Decision Making Judgments Impact
Only thirteen percent of adults have Proficient health literacy, according to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy. In other words, nearly nine out of ten adults may lack the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease. Fourteen percent of adults (30 million people) have Below Basic health literacy.

It is hard to be a good patient, isn’t it? Yet, not everyone is ready to be a good patient.  In dealing with the psycho-social changes, physical illness, information overloads and decision making pressure, it is overwhelming and stressful.

Significant factors/behavior patterns impact decision making judgments may include -
1. Medical knowledge and health information deficit
2. Blinded trust (or under intimidation influence) of the medical authority; not seeking or unable to obtain additional evaluation/opinions
3. Misled by statistical numbers 
4. Communication and analytical deficit – not asking the right questions and unable to analyze/ evaluate the complex information/results
5. Vulnerability and fear
6. Passive and reactive
7. Religious or cultural believes/rituals
8. Financial situation
9. Mental state and physical conditions at the decision time
10. Don’t know how to reach out for help or where to find available resources
Do you feel some of these relate to you? You are not alone.  Knowing your strength and limitations is the first step and health coaching will help you to improve health literacy.

Feel free to contact qualitylifeforum@outlook.com for your health coaching needs.
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for personal conditions.
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References and Resources:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10883/health-literacy-a-prescription-to-end-confusion
https://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html
https://nces.ed.gov/naal/kf_demographics.asp
http://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic.htm
http://www.informedmedicaldecisions.org/advocacy.aspx