How is information literacy used in healthcare?

The Medical Library Association’s (MLA’s) definition is more detailed and further defines health information literacy as “the set of abilities needed to: recognize a health information need; identify likely information sources and use them to retrieve relevant information; assess the quality of the information and its …

What resources are available to assist patients with low health literacy skills?

Health Literacy Resources

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Gateway to Health Communication & Social Marketing Practice.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Risk Communication.
  • National Communication Association.
  • NIH National Cancer Institute: Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch.

What is the role of patient and health care literacy when providing health care resources to patients?

(1) Addressing health literacy—the capacity of individuals to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions—has become a primary objective for many health systems in order to protect patients from harm.

Why is information literacy important for patients?

Health literacy skills allow patients to take control of their own well-being by making smart healthcare choices, improving their communication with doctors and giving them the information they need to advocate for themselves in a medical setting. Without health literacy, patients can suffer real consequences.

How does information literacy support the use of evidence based practice in nursing?

How does information literacy support the use of evidence-based-practice (EBP) in nursing? A nurse documents care of a patient with a decubitus ulcer in the electronic health record. Nurses evolve knowledge based on information. Nurses provide efficient means of capturing knowledge.

How can you improve patient’s health literacy?

Improving patient health literacy: Strategies for healthcare…

  1. Recommend mobile apps.
  2. Use plain language.
  3. Make use of graphics and pictures.
  4. Utilize technology to reach more patients.
  5. Build community connections.

What is patient literacy?

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions.

What are some examples of health literacy?

Examples of personal health literacy include understanding prescription drug instructions, understanding doctor’s directions and consent forms, and the ability to navigate the complex healthcare system.