Communicating Effectively with Patients

Question 1

what is health literacy dependent on

Answer 1

• individual and systemic factors
• communication skills of lay persons and professionals
• knowledge of health topics
• culture
• demands of the healthcare and public health systems
• demands of the situation

Question 2

what is health literacy

Answer 2

the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions

Question 3

health literacy affects people’s ability to:

Answer 3

• navigate the healthcare system, including filling out complex forms and locating providers and services
• share personal information, such as health history, with providers
• engage in self- care and chronic disease management
• understand mathematical concepts such as probability and risk

Question 4

what is plain language

Answer 4

a strategy for making written and oral information easier to understand
- one important tool for improving health literacy
- communication that users can understand the first time they read or hear it
- people can find what they need, understand what they find, and act appropriately on that understanding

Question 5

key elements of plain language include:

Answer 5

• organizing information so that the most important points come first
• breaking complex information into understandable chunks
• using simple language and defining technical terms
• using the active voice

Question 6

speaking plainly is just as important as:

Answer 6

writing plainly

Question 7

many plain language techniuques apply to ____, such as avoiding _____ and explaining ______

Answer 7

verbal messages; jargon; technical or medical terms

Question 8

culture affects:

Answer 8

how people communicate, understand, and respond to health information

Question 9

________ competency of health professionals can contribute to health literacy

Answer 9

cultural and linguistic

Question 10

what is cultural competence

Answer 10

the ability of health organizations and practitioners to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of diverse populations and to apply that knowledge to produce a positive health outcome

Question 11

what does competency include

Answer 11

communicating in a manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate

Question 12

what is a primary barrier for individuals with limited english proficiency

Answer 12

inability to communicate in English

Question 13

health information for people with LEP needs to be:

Answer 13

communicated plainly in their primary language, using words and examples that make the information understandable

Question 14

who is at risk to experience low health literacy

Answer 14

• older adults
• racial and ethnic minorities
• people with less than a high school degree or GED certificate
• people with low income levels
• non-native speakers of English
• people with compromised health status

Question 15

what are factors that affect a person’s health literacy skills

Answer 15

education, language, culture, access to resources, and age

Question 16

who is responsible for improving health literacy

Answer 16

• public health professionals
• healthcare and public health systems

Question 17

what are tips for presenting treatment plans to patients

Answer 17

• sit facing the patient at eye level. never have the patient in a reclining position
• use language the patient can understand, for example bone loss around the tooth as opposed to a three walled bony pocket
• avoid using threatening or anxiety producing terms
• talk to the patient, dont preach
• be mindful of body language
• dont overwhelm the patient with minute details unless the patient specifically asks
• ask the patient to repeat back the information to confirm understanding of the treatment plan
• use models, wax- ups, photos, radiographs to emphasize key points