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Good Health Literacy Communication Techniques
Professionals may underestimate people's
health literacy needs, this may be because needs remain hidden as people
attempt to hide them or it could be because people are reluctant to admit that
they haven't understood information that has been explained. Everyone can be at
risk of poor health literacy, particularly when hearing new or distressing
information or when overwhelmed by anxiety or worry. You should not assume a
person's level of health literacy or their level of understanding. It is
recommended that as a minimum staff consider the following five approaches.
Read more about these techniques below
Teach back is a method of
checking that you have communicated information effectively and that the
messages you have provided are being understood and taken away.
Chunk and check
Chunk and check can be used alongside
teach back and requires you to break down information into smaller chunks
throughout consultations and check for understanding along the way rather than
providing all information that is to be remembered at the end of the session.
Use simple language
Within health a lot of jargon, health
terminology and acronyms are used. This can be challenging for people to
comprehend. We should use plain and simple language to explain things as a tool
for promoting understanding.
Use pictures
Some concepts can be difficult to
explain, both for patients explaining what is wrong with them and for
professionals explaining what they would like people to do. Graphics and
pictures can sometimes help communication.
Routinely offer help with paperwork
It is not possible to tell by looking at
someone whether they might have problems with paperwork or understanding health
information. READ
MORE ➤➤
Based
on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 14
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old
(college level)
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