Communication Techniques for Patients With Low Health Literacy: A Survey of Physicians, Nurses, and Pharmacists
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2007
Abstract
Objective: To explore the self-reported techniques used by health care professionals to enhance communication with patients with low health literacy.
Methods: A survey was administered to physicians (n=99), nurses (n=87), and pharmacists (n=121) attending continuing education programs on patient safety and health care quality. Each was asked to rate communication-enhancing strategies by frequency of use and effectiveness with patients with low health literacy.
Results: Using simple language (94.7%), handing out printed materials (70.3%), and speaking more slowly (67.3%) were the most commonly used strategies. Strategies currently recommended by health literacy experts were less routinely used.
Conclusions: Further research is needed that evaluates the effectiveness of communication strategies for patients with limited literacy skills within diverse clinical encounters.
Journal Title
American Journal of Health Behavior
Journal ISSN
1087-3244
Volume
31
Issue
1
First Page
S96
Last Page
S104
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.5555/ajhb.2007.31.supp.S96