Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f9OFPM000631; Wed, 24 Oct 2001 11:25:22 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 11:25:22 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <sbd6a3d6.089@GMHMNW5DC005> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Felicia Morton" <FMORTON@gmh.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3416] Providers assessing literacy level-- Why? X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.5.2 Status: O Content-Length: 1153 Lines: 21 Hi group, I'm having a problem with this discussion...so what if a healthcare provider finds different levels of health literacy among his/her patients? Is the provider going to speak differently, give different print educational materials, etc. to the "higher" level patient than s/he will the "lower" level patient? I always thought we were to communicate health information in the most basic language possible for ALL audiences, since even educated people prefer info that is easy-to-read/understand. Done correctly, one health message should do for all...right? And patients who want more (ie., more technical, greater detail, or a larger amount of info), will most likely say they do, or get it on their own. The way I see it, the only question providers could ask patients to assess health literacy is: "Are you a doctor, nurse, or HCP fluent in Medspeak?" If the answer is 'no', make it clear and simple. Just thoughts, Felicia Felicia J. Morton, MSPH, CHES Patient Education Specialist Patient Care, Quality Management & Education Grady Health System 80 Butler Street, SE Box 249 Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 616-5153 (404) 616-0685 - fax
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