Even though there are very few true illiterate people in US, we are 
seeing more and more pt's that can not read or write: mostly mexican 
immigrants from rural areas. We do a terrible job in identifying them  
and in offering them the help they need to navigate the complex clinical 
setting. Does anyone use a particular method to identify these patients 
so  they can get the help they need? It seems to me that the front desk 
registration staff should be the ones identifying them but  not clear 
how to go about it
Thanks
Dodi Meyer

IHABRAMSON at aol.com wrote:

> Rima,

>  

> Depending on the situation, I have used other terms such as 

>  "undereducated adults."  By the way, we once had a governor here in 

> Michigan who shared the sentiment you refer to [/you had your chance/] 

> - and he promptly made cuts to many adult education programs.

>  

> Ilene

>  

>  

>  

>  

> In a message dated 11/2/2009 1:58:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, 

> rrudd at hsph.harvard.edu writes:

>

>     Ilene,

>     Yes, that is true but /illiteracy /is such a loaded word -- it has

>     become a label shaded by blame [/you had your chance/] and filled

>     with shame and a sense of disgrace.  I would not use it as a

>     metaphor. 

>     Rima....

>      

>     Rima E. Rudd, ScD, MSPH

>     Department of Society, Human Development & Health

>     Harvard School of Public Health

>     677 Huntington Avenue

>     Boston MA 02115

>     Phone: 617 432 1135

>     fax:     617 432 3123

>     web:    www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy

>     <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy>

>     www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether

>     <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether>

>

>     >>> <IHABRAMSON at aol.com> 11/1/2009 11:45 AM >>>

>     Thank you for your response, Rima.  A lot depends on how one

>     defines illiteracy.

>      

>     Ilene

>      

>      In a message dated 11/1/2009 11:40:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>     rrudd at hsph.harvard.edu writes:

>

>         Please keep in mind that while many people may struggle with

>         the written word, very few people in the US are illiterate.

>         Rima

>          

>         Rima E. Rudd, ScD, MSPH

>         Department of Society, Human Development & Health

>         Harvard School of Public Health

>         677 Huntington Avenue

>         Boston MA 02115

>         Phone: 617 432 1135

>         fax:     617 432 3123

>         web:    www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy

>         <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy>

>         www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether

>         <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether>

>

>         >>> <IHABRAMSON at aol.com> 10/30/2009 2:13 PM >>>

>         Hello Everyone.

>          

>         I am in the process of preparing a curriculum

>         involving *simulated hospital patients, /particularly those

>         who might be illiterate/,* and was wondering if anyone had

>         sample material to share. Given all our tight schedules, it's

>         never great to re-invent the wheel. Thank you in advance.

>          

>          

>         Ilene

>          

>         Ilene Abramson, Ph.D.

>

>         Member- Policy Committee

>

>         Michigan Board of Pharmacy (2009 - 2011)

>

>          

>

>         Member - Rules Committee (2009-2012)

>

>         Michigan Board of Respiratory Care

>

>          

>

>         ihabramson at aol.com <mailto:ihabramson at aol.com>

>

>         Tel:    248-926-0695

>

>         Fax:   248-926-9080

>

>          

>

>

>

>         ----------------------------------------------------

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>         Email delivered to ihabramson at aol.com

>

>

>

>     ----------------------------------------------------

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>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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> Email delivered to ddm11 at columbia.edu


-- 
Dodi Meyer, MD
Associate Clinical Professor Pediatrics
Co Director Community Pediatrics
Columbia University Medical Center/ Morgan Stanley Childrens' Hospital 
New York Presbyterian
622 West 168 St., VC4-402
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-6227