Making health literacy real: adult literacy and medical students teach each other

Hess, Jean; Whelan, Julia

doi:10.3163/1536-5050.97.3.012

Cited by 24 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…One approach to increase health literacy is to utilize and involve librarians in educating residents and physicians, particularly through community and faculty partnerships [50, 51]. For example, at the University of Minnesota, library integration into a required third-year course for all medical students has provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of plain language and health literacy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the health literacy of the Upper Midwest

Bakker

Koffel

Theis‐Mahon

2017

jmla

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ObjectivesHealth literacy—the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information—is a major determinant of an individual’s overall health and health care utilization. In this project, the authors examined predictors of health literacy levels, including numeracy and graphic literacy, among an adult population in the Upper Midwest.MethodsThe research was conducted at the Minnesota State Fair. Three previously validated scales were used to assess health literacy: Newest Vital Sign, the General Health Numeracy Test, and questions from Galesic and Garcia-Retamero’s Graph Literacy Scale. Demographic information—such as age, educational attainment, zip code, and other potential predictors and modifiers—was collected. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine the independent effects of educational attainment, race, ethnicity, gender, and rural or urban location on overall health literacy and scores on each of the individual instruments.ResultsA total of 353 Upper Midwest residents completed the survey, with the majority being white, college-educated, and from an urban area. Having a graduate or professional degree or being under the age of 21 were associated with increased health literacy scores, while having a high school diploma or some high school education, being Asian American, or being American Indian/Alaska Native were associated with lower health literacy scores.ConclusionAdvanced health literacy skills, including the ability to calculate and compare information, were problematic even in well-educated populations. Understanding numerical and graphical information was found to be particularly difficult, and more research is needed to understand these deficits and how best to address them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the health literacy of the Upper Midwest

Bakker

Koffel

Theis‐Mahon

2017

jmla

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“…Users reported satisfaction with the service and positive changes regarding simplified language on informed consent forms (Raimondo, 2014). An innovative health literacy course at Harvard Medical School paired medical students with adult learners in order to illustrate the importance of plain language use in real-world patient encounters (Hess & Whelan, 2009). A similar assignment given to undergraduate health sciences students at James Madison University illustrated the concepts of plain language and cultural health beliefs by placing students in the role of health information-seeking patients (McCabe, 2006).…”

Section: Healthcare Professionals and Studentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health literacy and libraries: a literature review

Barr‐Walker

2016

RSR

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Reference Services Review PurposeThe aim of this article is to assess the involvement of libraries in health literacy programs and initiatives based on a review of the literature. MethodologyFour databases were searched for articles that described health literacy programs and initiatives within libraries. FindingsSeveral themes of health literacy programs in libraries emerged: health literacy for older adults, underserved populations, the general public, healthcare professionals and medical students, and patients. Collaborations between libraries and community organizations were frequently utilized. Practical implicationsLibrarians may use this review to understand the history of health literacy efforts and libraries in order to inform future programming. This review will contextualize current research on health literacy and libraries. Originality/valueDespite the currency and relevance of this topic, there are no literature reviews on health literacy and librarianship.

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“…1 Following the guidelines set forth by these prominent organizations and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, ''Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion,'' many academic institutions incorporated health literacy within core courses to improve health professionals ability to assess health literacy, suggest alternative methods for presenting information to patients, and determine competence in this area. 1,[3][4][5][6][7] While the LCME mandates that health literacy be incorporated into the formal curriculum, health literacy has remained an orphan topic in many undergraduate medical curricula despite the emerging knowledge regarding its negative impact on health outcomes. In a 2010 report of 61 allopathic medical schools inquiring on specific teaching of topic of health literacy 44 schools indicated it was a required component of their curriculum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical students' recognition of health literacy in a single embedded curricular activity

et al. 2013

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Objectives: To explore medical students' recognition of health literacy as a barrier to care and social determinant of health within a single embedded curricular activity. Methods: Data was collected from 262 second-year medical students' responses to the following questions: what are some potential barriers to patient adherence and preventative health screening? What aspects of a social history would you include in your patient interview to ensure emphasis on the social determinants of health? All narrative responses were analyzed using both frequency analysis and qualitative content analysis methods. Results: Students' responses revealed three themes: the impact of low health literacy on health, the correlation between health literacy and literacy, and health care provider strategies for addressing health literacy. The majority of students 61.5% (n=161) recognized health literacy as a barrier to optimal health outcomes; however, an equal number of students 66.8% (n=175) failed to identify the manner in which health literacy serves as a social determinate of health. Conclusion: While students may recognize health literacy as a barrier to care, they may need more formalized instruction and evaluation on understanding the ways in which it is a social determinant of health. It is therefore essential for medical educators to incorporate this topic more intentionally into medical school curricula to ensure the understanding of health literacy within the clinical context to facilitate meaningful adaptations that can potentially decrease health disparities.

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Making health literacy real: adult literacy and medical students teach each other

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Measuring the health literacy of the Upper Midwest

Measuring the health literacy of the Upper Midwest

Health literacy and libraries: a literature review

Medical students' recognition of health literacy in a single embedded curricular activity

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