It's Health Literacy Month; Here Are 5 Easy Tips for Your Next Doctor Visit
Have you ever left your doctor's office and thought to yourself, "Wait, what did they mean?" Or have you read a medical summary and said to yourself, "What does any of this mean?" If so, you're not alone in that.
Only 1 in 10 adults age 16 or older had the proficiency to find, understand, and applying health related information.
Since 1999, October has been recognized as Health Literacy Month. This is a time to highlight the importance of providing clear communication between healthcare teams and their patients in order to empower individuals to make well-informed and confident decisions when it comes to their health. Between the long, complex words, small print, and short time you have to ask questions, it's easy to understand why so many get confused or frustrated when it comes to health-focused conversations. The healthcare world uses a lot of jargon that feels inaccessible, which adds up over time to leave people feeling frustrated.
It's completely normal to feel that way, though. A study by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, it was found that only 1 in 10 adults age 16 or older had the proficiency to find, understand, and apply health related information. This is the gap that Health Literacy Month aims to address.
This month, we want to share some simple tips to ensure that you have the tools to feel confident in your next medical conversation.
What Exactly Is Health Literacy?
From reading the label on your medication bottle, to filling out forms and beyond, it's all connected.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) define health literacy as "the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others." It covers many different aspects of your health, from reading the label on your medication bottle to filling out forms and beyond, it's all connected.
So why does it matter? When you understand what to look for in your care, you're able to keep yourself on track and catch problems early, which means you can avoid bigger problems later on. Which means you can avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. Plus, it gives you the ability to make more informed decisions based on your doctor's suggestions! Let's go over some easy tips to make your next visit a breeze.
5 Easy Tips for Health Literacy Month
1. Ask Me 3®
Created by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Ask Me 3 is a free educational program developed to help encourage patients ask three key questions when meeting with their providers so that they can better understand their condition and what they need to do in order to stay healthy.
The questions are:
"What is my main problem?"
"What do I need to do?"
"Why is it important for me to do this?"
The IHI also offers a free patient brochure with the three questions and tips on when and how to ask them. You can download this resource from their website.
2. Say it back
Don't be afraid to repeat the plan back in your own words, so that there's no room for confusion. An example would be "So what you're saying is that I need to take this pill two times a day with food, and I need to call you if the flares get worse?" Putting it in your own words helps you remember, and it gives your care team a chance to double-check that there are no mix-ups. Your doctor might already do this for you, but it never hurts to say it back in the way you understand it!
3. Bring a list (or a family member)
Try to build the habit of writing down any potential questions you may have before your visit. Bonus points if you write down how you've been feeling if there have been changes to your medications. Also be sure to write down ALL your medications and vitamins. If you think it would be beneficial, ask a family member or loved one to accompany you to your next appointment. Such support can help you remember things before and after your visit or even ask questions you may not have thought of. Before your visit, check with the office about its rules for bringing someone with you.
Such support can help you remember things before and after your visit or even ask questions you may not have thought of.
4. It's okay to say "I don't understand"
Doctors sometimes use big words that only those in a medical field would understand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Nobody knows everything, and asking is smart! Asking "What does this mean?" or "can you explain it in a different way?" can go a long way in helping you understand your health and helping your doctor understand how to communicate with you more efficiently. It may feel awkward at first, but once you take the first steps to asking for clarification, the more confident you'll feel in other aspects of discussing your health. Your doctor will be more than happy to talk it through! Don’t forget to ask for any written steps, handouts, or pamphlets they may have.
If you read medical information online that you're unsure of, write it down and bring it to your next visit.
5. Be careful with online health information
Surprisingly, not everything on the internet is true. It can be very easy to fall for medical misinformation when you come across new information. When in doubt, use trusted medical websites such as MedlinePlus, a free-to-use site run by the National Library of Medicine and official website of the United State government. Other reputable sites include the World Health Organization, Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and various large hospitals. If you read medical information online that you're unsure of, write it down and bring it to your next visit. Your care team is more than happy to address such information.
Let our team help you this Health Literacy Month
At Tria Health®, a Stellus Rx company, our pharmacists take a whole-person approach to your health. Through private one-on-one phone consultations, you get personalized support to help you manage your chronic conditions, medications, and overall health. Your pharmacist can help you come up with questions to ask your doctor for your next visit to help kickstart your health literacy journey.
