This week’s module explained the concept of health
literacy (HL). Key concepts included: exploration of HL from a global,
community and individual perspective; the social determinants influential to HL
levels; risk groups of low HL; and how HL promotion requires governments, healthcare
providers and consumers to work collaboratively, in order to effectively action
sustainable change (Australian
Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care [ACSQHC], 2013; Willis et al.,
2014). An interview was also included in this module. Peter
is vision impaired and talks about how his disability has limited his
employment opportunities; how transport issues and social exclusion has made his
life difficult; and how nurses should reserve time to listen attentively and treat
all clientele equally.
From this module, I was surprised to discover that 60
percent of Australians have lower than average HL- meaning that these people leave
healthcare appointments without understanding what they’ve been told (ACSQHC,
2013, p.5). This is a costly problem, which will grow as the population ages
and chronic conditions increase (Department of Health, 2011). I have,
therefore, recognised that health education is central to promoting HL, and requires
successful provision of client health information. If clients can easily
access and understand the information
provided, then they can subsequently make their own informed healthcare decisions,
and be pro-active with their healthcare (ACSQHC, 2013; Guzys & Petrie,
2014).
As a nurse, I must form therapeutic relationships with
clients and deliver healthcare information which can be easily understood
(Guzys & Petrie, 2014). However, I may not recognise health illiteracy. Therefore,
I will adopt the following strategies with all clientele: convey key points
first; speak slowly, without medical jargon; and use translated resources and visual
information to overcome language barriers and improve client understanding (ACSQHC,
2013; Jaklina, Tracy, & Rajna, 2013). Seeking clarification of understanding
is important to me, therefore, clients will be asked to relay health
information in their own words. Upon discharge, I also intend to assess my clients’
knowledge and proficiency regarding their prescribed medications- particularly
nebuliser, blood glucose monitoring and insulin therapy techniques. Studies
show that these practices can assure patient safety; further improving HL, because
medication adherence contributes to client autonomy and empowerment (Duncan,
2015; Hughes & Goldie, 2011; Patel et al., 2015).
Please watch this video to gain further understanding:
REFERENCES
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in
Health Care (ACSQHC). (2013). Consumers,
the health system and health literacy: Taking action to improve safety and
quality. Consultation paper. Retrieved
from http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Consumers-the-health-system-and-health-literacy-Taking-action-to-improve-safety-and-quality3.pdf
Department of Health. (2011). Health Literacy. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/womens-health-policy-toc~womens-health-policy-key~womens-health-policy-key-literacy
Duncan, D. (2015). Medication adherence in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Nurse Prescribing, 13(4),
172-177. Retrieved from http://www.nurseprescribing.com/
Guzys, D., & Petrie, E. (2014). An
introduction to community and primary health care. Port Melbourne, VIC:
Cambridge University Press.
Hughes, C., & Goldie, R. (2011). 'I just take
what I am given': adherence and resident involvement in decision making on
medicines in nursing homes for older people: a qualitative survey. Drugs
& Aging, 26(6), 505-517.
doi:10.2165/00002512-200926060-00007
Jaklina, M., Tracy, A., & Rajna, O. (2013).
Development of a translation standard to support the improvement of health
literacy and provide consistent high-quality information. Australian
Health Review, 37(4), 547-551. doi:10.1071/AH13082
Patel, N., Stone, M., Hadjiconstantinou, M., Hiles,
S., Troughton, J., Martin-Stacey, L., & ... Khunti, K. (2015). Patient
education: Using an interactive DVD about type 2 diabetes and insulin therapy
in a UK South Asian community and in patient education and healthcare provider
training. Patient Education and Counseling, 98, 1123-1130.
doi:10.1016/j.pec.2015.04.018
VCH Primary Care. (2014, June 19). Health Literacy
Basics for Health Professionals [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8w9kdcRgsI
Willis, C., Saul, J., Bitz, J., Pompu, K., Best, A.,
& Jackson, B. (2014). Review paper: Improving organizational capacity to
address health literacy in public health: A rapid realist review. Public
Health, 128, 515-524. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2014.01.014
