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 f9OH3m003139; Wed, 24 Oct 2001 13:03:48 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 13:03:48 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <A1AE1B3346D3D311A4560008C7A4358A031A1702@guinevere.ci.westminster.co.us> 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: "Platte, Jan" <JPlatte@ci.westminster.co.us> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3419] Re: Providers assessing literacy level-- W X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) Status: O Content-Length: 1635 Lines: 39 Everyone, My husband and I have just traversed a very rocky road with his diagnosis in January of a rare cancer. We are both well educated and I being the coordinator of an adult literacy program am well aware of the problems surrounding this issue of literacy levels in health care. Even well educated folks benefit from explanations in basic language. Once you hear that diagnosis your brain shuts down and you don't process everything you are told. Probably the main reason health care providers tell you to bring someone with you. We appreciated explanations in plain language and guidance on where we might obtain additional information. (I became really good at research on the web.) I don't think giving every person who walks in the door a quick assessment of their literacy skills is a viable solution. Educating providers to be aware that literacy level is an issue and that people often hide the fact that they don't understand the material is a big step. We found most health care professionals we dealt with quickly picked up on our level of understanding as we grew with the process and adjusted accordingly. One RN told the attending physician, "These folks want to know everything." He however didn't think we needed to know everything - that's a whole other discussion. Bottom line, educating health care professionals and well written materials would go a long way in addressing the needs of the patient. My 2 cents worth. Jan Platte Adult Literacy Program Coordinator Westminster Public Library 3705 W. 112th Ave. Westminster, CO 80031-2140 (303) 430 - 2400 ext. 2316 jplatte@ci.westminster.co.us
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