Red flags of low health literacy

health

Literacy

Can you identify

the red flags of low health literacy?

There are some common

warning signs

that indicate our patients may have low health literacy.

Let's review

Let's review

Let's review

Let's review

Let's review

red flags

red flags

Can you think of some common

for low health literacy?

Frequently missed

APPOINTMENTS

WHY?

The patient may be struggling with understanding how to make the follow-up appointments or how to follow the required steps to prepare for their test.

Incomplete patient registration forms

WHY?

It could be that the patient is unable to read the appointment slip. It may also mean he doesn’t have an organizational system at home to help remember an appointment.

Non-compliance

medication

The patient may not understand:

WHY??

• the importance of the medication and why they need to take it
• how they are supposed to take the medication
• refills, e.g. - knowing they need to get their medication refilled when it runs out

Unable to name medications, explain their purpose or dosing

WHY??

• Pharmaceutical names can be too difficult to remember or recall.
• The patient does not fully understand the reason the medicine was prescribed, only that he is to take it.
• The dosing regimen may be too complex for them to understand.

pills

pills

pills

meds

meds

meds

Identifies pillsthem, NOT

by looking at reading label

Patients with low health literacy:

WHY??

• may not be able to read the label on the prescription bottle.
• often they will memorize the pill’s shape and color to identify it.

Asks few or no questions

why??

• The patient may be trying hard to hide their inability to understand what is being said.

• They may be listening intently in order to retain what is being said.

doesn't follow through on

tests or referrals

WHY?

The patient may be struggling with understanding how to make the follow-up appointments or how to follow the required steps to prepare for their test.

“I forgot/lost/broke my reading glasses.” “My eyes are tired.”

WHY??

The patient may be trying to hide the fact he has trouble reading or understanding written material.

Now you know how to recognize some red flags of low health literacy.

Next Steps-

Proceed through this week's module to learn more about developing practical ways and strategies for helping patients improve their Health Literacy.