Health Literacy and the Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist

Abstract

There is a paucity of information available on health literacy within the field of speech-language pathology. Suggestions are offered regarding increasing health literacy research and intervention by speech-language pathologists.

Maximising health literacy and client recall of clinical information: An exploratory study of clients and speech-language pathologists

“…In the health care sector, and especially in speech-language pathology, where written information is frequently provided, this may lead to extreme frustration on the part of the client. People with speech, language, visual, hearing and intellectual disabilities experience even greater challenges when they need to apply high-level health literacy skills (Hester & Stevens-Ratchford, 2009). …”

Instrumentos de avaliação do letramento em saúde: revisão de literatura

“…Thus, the speech--language pathologist and audiologist must work together with the other health professionals, helping to identify patients who have health literacy difficulties. However, it is important to bear in mind that, by means of their exclusive competences regarding speech, hearing, oral and written language, the speech-language pathologist and audiologist has unique and differentiated functions to assess and intervene in the development of an effective communication between users and health professionals and, thus, enhance health literacy (4) .…”

“…This professional's role is of utmost importance because of the close relation between health literacy and the skills of speaking, listening to and understanding oral/written language. Thus, it has been observed that patients with communication disorders clearly experience even greater challenges regarding health literacy (4,8,9) . In the current conjuncture, in which communication among the healthcare system, workers and users must be enhanced (7) , the Speech, Language and Hearing Scienceswhich are specially related to communication -can effectively contribute to improve speech, pragmatic language competences, and hearing, reading and writing skills (4,8,9) .…”

“…In the current conjuncture, in which communication among the healthcare system, workers and users must be enhanced (7) , the Speech, Language and Hearing Scienceswhich are specially related to communication -can effectively contribute to improve speech, pragmatic language competences, and hearing, reading and writing skills (4,8,9) . Despite the close relation between the speech-language pathologist and audiologist's expertise in rehabilitating and improving communicative skills and health literacy (a capacity that depends on the effective use of oral and written language in the dialogic bonds that emerge between users and health professionals), there are few studies in the field of the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences about the theme (4,8,9) . Being familiar with the health literacy assessment instruments is the first step speech-language pathologists and audiologists must take to qualify themselves to work in this important field of activity.…”

“…Health literacy is, above all, a theme that congregates competences related to communication and application of health information. Therefore, the speech-language pathologist and audiologist must not only incorporate the theme into his/her practice, but also be a strategic element in the discussion about health literacy and in the proposal of instruments to assess it in the healthcare network (4) . Health literacy assessment instruments can be general or specific.…”