We are facing an explosion of medical knowledge into new areas as widely diverse as the genome and robotically enhanced microsurgery. At the same time, our health care delivery system is changing almost as radically with increased specialization,fragmentation and reliance on the individual patient's ability to learn how to independently manage his or her own complex medical care. The image of the enlightened, empowered patient researching over the internet before even coming to the initial physician visit, obscures the reality that 50% of the American population has such limited literacy skills that they must struggle with current health care tasks such as reading prescription labels or the directions for preparation for laboratory or X-ray examinations. Recent studies have shown that problems with limited literacy increase with age and chronic illness. We know that patients with the lowest literacy skills are twice as likely to report their health as poor and experience twice the amount of hospitalizations as those with adequate literacy. $73 billion in excess medical costs per year has been attributed to the consequences of low literacy. We cannot tolerate a society in which 50% of its members will be locked out of the latest benefits of health and medical care. As we challenge ourselves to work to eliminate health disparities in general, we must find ways to deal with the significant barriers created by the problems of health literacy. We need a concrete, systematic approach to reducing the barriers to access, diagnosis, treatment and trust.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:1. Describe the extent of limited literacy in America and its relation to health care, 2. Identify the barriers throughout the physician-patient encounter created by limited literacy, and 3. Describe 5 strategies for improving communication with patients with limited literacy
Keywords: Health Literacy, Barriers to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: A videotape developed by the AMA Program on Aging and Community Health will be shown. The videotape is of interviews with patients with limited literacy
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment