Using health literacy communication skills with service users

Abstract

Health literacy is the context and ‘skills necessary for an individual to use and understand health information’(Nutbeam 1998). Low health literacy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, both individuals with low and adequate health literacy levels have reported difficulties understanding health information (Shaw et al. 2009). Research demonstrates that printed healthcare materials and patient-provider interaction is not always meeting the health literacy needs of individuals.

This workshop will begin by describing an overview of current research in the health literacy area. This will also include the presenter’s own work exploring health literacy in the context of falls prevention (Brooks et al. 2012). Methods of determining the level of literacy required to read information will be described, and participants will be invited to evaluate, in pairs, examples of printed service user healthcare materials. Feedback will be shared with the group, and the implications of lower health literacy for communication in practice will be discussed. Participants will also be asked to take part in a role play activity, focussing on verbal communication strategies to enhance service users’ understanding. Finally, best practice guidance will be shared with workshop participants. Occupational therapists are in an excellent position to meet the communication and information needs, and enhance the health literacy skills of service users. This workshop will improve communication and practice delivery; particularly with older people. The content and format of this workshop have been developed in collaboration with an older carer of a regular health service user.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Charlotte Brooks: orcid.org/0000-0002-4461-1247

ORCID for Jo Adams: orcid.org/0000-0003-1765-7060

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