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Health Literacy

Health Coaching Session August 2016

Health Literacy

Picture
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
​
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.

Picture

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.
Picture

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.
​

© All rights reserved

Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for personal conditions.
​
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

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  • Home
  • Forum
    • Mind and Body
    • Feeling well
    • Feeling ill
  • Coaching
    • Coaching Programs >
      • Loneliness Breakthrough
      • Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
      • Time-Restricted Feeding for Healthy Aging
      • Patient-centered Health Navigation Program
      • Customized program
    • 2022 health coaching monthly >
      • Health: the Cornerstone for Quality of Life
      • Aging Eye Facts
      • Age-Related Hearing Loss
      • Aging and Oral Health
      • Aging Skin and Sun Safety
    • 2021 Health Coaching Monthly >
      • Hew Year Brings New Hope
      • Pandemic Winter Blues
      • Make a Self-Care Plan for Your Golden Years
      • Are You Fully Vaccinated?
      • Less is More
      • Managing Chronic Insomnia
      • Range of Motion Recovery from Frozen Shoulder
      • The Milestone of Age 65
      • Aging Brain
      • Muscle Memory and Cognition
      • Navigation for Healthcare Needs
      • Gratitude Power for Wellbeing
    • 2020 health coaching Monthly >
      • The Key Role of Protein in Healthy Aging
      • Healthy Fat for Healthy Aging
      • Healthy Aging Energy Source Carbohydrate
      • Transform Pandemic Fear to Self-Care
      • Hope endures
      • Breathing and Blessing
      • Listening to your body
      • Keep Fit for Your Age
      • Time-Restricted Feeding Is A Healthy Lifestyle Choice
      • Process and Results
      • Moderation
      • Invest In yourself
    • 2019 Health Coaching Monthly >
      • Empty Nest
      • Food Safety and H. pylori Infection
      • Body Image and Self-Care After Midlife
      • Exercise is Medicine
      • Cognitive Health
      • Dietary Supplements Are Not Drugs
      • GERD
      • Downsizing in the Golden Years
      • Time for change
      • Action is what counts
      • Osteoporosis in Women
      • Dealing with Difficult Emotions in Holiday Season
    • 2018 Health Coaching monthly >
      • The Golden Keys for the Golden Years
      • loneliness Breakthrough
      • Regulate Blood Pressure
      • Lowering Cholesterol
      • Blood Sugar Self-Management
      • TLC Transformation
      • Golden Mindset
      • Nourish Your Body for Healthy Living
      • Keep Life in Motion
      • Tough Fight for the Belly Fat
      • Dealing with chronic stress
      • The Most Valuable Gift
    • 2017 Health Coaching monthly >
      • Willness Attitude and Winterizing Fitness
      • Live with Thyroid Nodules
      • Exercise for Blood Sugar Regulation
      • Longevity and Quality of Life
      • How to Reduce Aging Eye Fatigue
      • Sleep Well
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • Facing a life-threatening illness
      • Music Learning for older adults
      • Better to Eat Meat or Plant Food
      • Immunity and Aging
      • A Special Holiday Gift
    • 2016 Health Coaching Monthly >
      • Wellness Mindset
      • Get Active
      • Balance Training
      • Emotional Healing
      • Vitamin D Deficiency
      • Weight Management
      • Health Literacy
      • Prevention
      • Significant Health Indicators
      • Gratitude for life
      • Home Coming for Holidays
  • Health Product Guide
    • Choices for Healthy Living
    • Vitamins and minerals
    • Digestive Health
    • Heart Health
    • Eye Health
    • Joint Health
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blogs
    • Blog How much water to drink in a day?
    • Blog What’s Good to Eat?
    • Blog Are You Motivated for a Healthy Life Style?
    • Blog A Green Tea Invitation
    • Blog The Value of Vitamin and Dietary Supplements
    • Blog Holiday Edition 2015
    • Blog Travel album of Switzerland
    • Blog A Mourning Dove Story