Addressing low literacy and health literacy in clinical oncology practice

Abstract

Low functional literacy and low health literacy continue to be under-recognized and are associated with poorer patient health outcomes. Health literacy is a dynamic state influenced by how well a healthcare system delivers information and services that match patients' abilities, needs and preferences. Oncology care poses considerable health literacy demands on patients who are expected to process high stakes information about complex multidisciplinary treatment over lengths of time. Much of the information provided to patients in clinical care and research is beyond their literacy levels. In this paper, we provide an overview of currently available guidelines and resources to improve how the needs of patients with diverse literacy skills are met by cancer care providers and clinics. We present recommendations for health literacy assessment in clinical practice and ways to enhance the usability of health information and services by improving written materials and verbal communication, incorporating multimedia and culturally appropriate approaches, and promoting health literacy in cancer care settings.The paper also includes a list of additional resources that can be used to develop and implement health literacy initiatives in cancer care clinics.

Figure 1. Screen Image of a Health Literacy Assessment Quantitative Item from the Talking Touchscreen

Respondents can press the gray speaker button to hear the question read out loud and answer the question by pressing one of the blue response buttons.

Figure 2. Screen Image of a CancerHelp Patient Education Slide from a Talking Touchscreen Kiosk

All CancerHelp screens currently use similar format and navigational features. © 2010 The CancerHelp Institute