Addressing Patients' Health Literacy Needs

Addressing Patients' Health Literacy Needs
2009 © Joint Commission Resources
Editor: Robert A. Porche Jr.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59940-280-2

Description

Every day, patients experience confusion, frustration, miscommunication, or a preventable adverse event at a doctor's appointment or during a visit to the hospital. Statistics show that a significant number of adverse events can be attributed to low health literacy levels in patients. This new product, Addressing Patients' Health Literacy Needs, addresses health literacy as it impacts patient safety and healthcare outcomes. This book thoroughly examines the health literacy crisis in the United States and provides techniques and suggestions for assessing and improving the health literacy of patients in healthcare organizations and bridging the communication gap between physicians and patients.

Features:

  • • Definition and overview of health literacy
  • • Information on how to identify signs of health literacy problems and specific strategies to overcome the challenges
  • • Case studies and from actual health care organizations on overcoming health literacy challenges and meeting patients’ health care literacy needs
  • • Techniques for developing and assessing patient-friendly health communications materials
  • • Features a downloadable component. The "Additional Tools" folder offers a collection of informational resources designed to     enhance and expand upon the book's content. Among other features, the folder includes all seven case studies presented in     Chapter 4 of this publication.
  • • Suggested additional resources

Doody's Reviews

Score: 92/100
4/5 Stars
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Quotes, Reviews or Testimonials

"This is an invaluable book for informing and motivating healthcare professionals to tackle this problem through evidence-based solutions."

-- Linda Shanta, PhD, MSN, BS (Walden University) Doody's Review

Audience

The purpose is to establish the crucial nature of the problem of healthcare illiteracy. This title also identifies patient cues related to a lack of understanding, and provides practical solutions for healthcare professionals to meet the challenges presented by the lack of health literacy.
The variety of resources offered by the book and additional materials, provide well-organized information that should be mandatory in the initial education of all students in healthcare professions.

Table of Contents