Presentation
Health Literacy: The Missing Link
DescriptionTo close the gap in health literacy, patients must understand the specific role of the patient. This is not intuitive and requires education. As clinicians, we are great at teaching patients about their disease process and what they should or should not do once discharged—however, education about taking an active role as a patient is lacking. Health disparities and social determinants of health are impacted by the level of education a person has. This includes academics, health education, and knowledge about the healthcare system itself. Shared decision-making is ineffective if the patient is not active in their care. To be an active participant, patients must understand what it means to be a patient. Healthcare clinicians view patients through a specific lens, including the person and what they represent as a medical case. The total picture includes medical conditions, medications, allergies, diet, and social factors- we put these factors together while managing the acute or chronic disease at hand. Patients must understand this view and how their contribution impacts their health. To fight health inequity, cut utilization costs, improve health outcomes, and give power back to the patient, patients must have an active presence in who they are as patients. This education point can be tackled by bedside nursing, advanced practice clinicians, and physicians, whether outpatient or inpatient. Technology utilization in the form of smartphone applications can optimize patients' understanding of how to increase their involvement in their health care.
Speaker
Event Type
Breakout Session
TimeWednesday, October 16th9:45am - 10:05am PDT
LocationHarbor Ballroom A
Delivery, Quality and Safety
APP Practice
Bedside Nursing
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Global Neurocritical Care
Hospitalist Practice
Patient Education
Introductory
Intermediate