What strategies can you use to prioritize patient needs for those with limited literacy?
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Patient advocacy is a skill that involves supporting, informing, and empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health care. However, not all patients have the same level of health literacy, which is the ability to understand and use health information. Patients with limited health literacy may face challenges such as accessing services, communicating with providers, following instructions, and managing their conditions. As a patient advocate, how can you prioritize their needs and help them overcome these barriers? Here are some strategies to consider.
The first step is to assess the patient's literacy level and identify their learning preferences. You can use tools such as the Newest Vital Sign or the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine to screen for literacy skills. You can also ask open-ended questions, observe their behavior, and listen to their concerns. Based on your assessment, you can tailor your communication style, materials, and interventions to match their level and preferences. For example, you can use plain language, avoid jargon, use visual aids, and repeat key points.
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Shiv Chandra Mathur
Health Consultant
Interacting with patients an their relatives particularly through focus group discussions can generate the data to reach to the decisons on the needs.
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Brendon Scott
Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
I'm not sure of other countries but here in Southern Africa or medicine dispensary packets have a place to write a number which would be the amount of tablets then the images of dawn, midday, dusk which can be ticked so the patient can understand better of time to take meds. Infographics help a lot. Visual aids are invaluable. A friend had to present a first aid course to illiterate Somalians. He created a visual first aid book using drawings, for verbal he had a translator, assessment was practical. He didn't have one failure and some students out performed traditionally trained first aiders. Then a good translator is worth their value in gold.
The second step is to involve the patient in the decision-making process and respect their autonomy. You can use techniques such as motivational interviewing, shared decision making, and teach-back to elicit their goals, preferences, values, and feedback. You can also provide them with reliable and relevant information and resources to help them understand their options and consequences. You can also encourage them to ask questions, express their opinions, and seek clarification.
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Brendon Scott
Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
Last year we had colleagues involved in a vehicle accident. The driver managed to apply a Tourniquet to his partners leg and save his life. Unfortunately the passenger needed to have the leg amputated however the parents refused and the boys was also culturally. So the culture needed addressing, then create the understanding of the limb is lost and infection and necrosis will soon set in. They were given the procedure, the reasons, and post care, then also explained impact on quality of life and redirecting into a new career fields. The convincing was done and the seed planted. Then the decision was left to the parents that the father could make the decision to remain head of the household and maintain the respect as the head.
The third step is to prioritize the patient's needs and goals based on their urgency, importance, and feasibility. You can use tools such as the Patient Activation Measure or the Patient Priorities Care to assess the patient's readiness, confidence, and ability to manage their health. You can also use frameworks such as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) or GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, and Will) to help them set and track their goals. You can also help them identify and overcome potential barriers and challenges.
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Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
I emphasize the importance of aligning health goals with patients' needs and wishes. The key? Incorporate Self-Efficacy Theory. A person needs to believe in their ability to influence their health. You should seek to understand their values and concerns. Then you can help identify and encourage setting realistic, achievable goals. Empower people by celebrating progress, even the perceived smallest. This approach not only respects autonomy but also boosts confidence in managing health and decision making. Lastly, make sure you use appropriate health literacy and numeracy level language. “Measurable” “Timely” “Attainable” may be difficult for some people understand.
The fourth step is to coordinate the patient's care across different settings, providers, and services. You can use tools such as care plans, care maps, or care transitions to document and communicate the patient's needs, goals, and actions. You can also use platforms such as patient portals, telehealth, or mobile apps to facilitate access, communication, and follow-up. You can also help them navigate the health system, access social support, and advocate for their rights and interests.
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Brendon Scott
Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
Continuum of care, communication of care. Through each step there needs to be an approach of simple language. Like taking a story to a 12 year old. As we were taught about understanding our job was that if we cannot explain to a child what we are doing then we don't truly understand our work. We had to be so cognitive to be able to explain in simple language. This crossed age and language barriers. Then ensure support and a social liaison capable of ensuring technical language is translated into simple language. Even at adult, tertiary educated level, require this simplification am be support.
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Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
Care coordination across the healthcare continuum is critical. We need to remove the phrase “going the extra mile” from our vocabulary, we advocate and coordinate care for patients until they are able to do so for themselves, and that means helping them reach their health goals. Patient portals and apps are wonderful, for those who have digital health literacy and access. Never assume a patient has access or ability to utilize these tools. Connect patients with resources, its not enough to simply tell them about them. The healthcare system is a maze, help navigate, end to end
The fifth step is to educate and empower the patient to improve their health literacy and self-management skills. You can use methods such as health coaching, peer support, or group education to provide them with information, skills, and strategies to manage their health. You can also use sources such as health websites, books, or videos to supplement your education. You can also help them build their confidence, motivation, and resilience to cope with their health challenges.
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Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
Empowering patients is a skill. It requires providing education, support, and encouragement to help foster self-efficacy. As complicated as the healthcare system is, self-efficacy is not enough, you need to also provide tools and resources patients can use, and help foster health literacy and self-advocacy skills that patients can use across their care continuum.
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Brendon Scott
Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
I agree. I did notice at one doctors office I was at they had flatscreen displays throughout the practice. These screens played patient education, contact numbers, how to use products, what is avaliable, what are the patients rights etc. During the wait to see the doctor was an educative experience from general medicine to reproductive medicine at female health areas, then patenting advice for new parents. How did this help? It answered some questions patients are/were to scared or shy to ask. In others or made them more relaxed and they felt able to ask questions as the educational video triggered inquisitiveness and questions came easier. Audio can have the same effect.
The sixth step is to evaluate and adjust the patient's needs, goals, and interventions based on their progress, feedback, and outcomes. You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, or focus groups to measure the patient's satisfaction, experience, and impact. You can also use indicators such as health status, quality of life, or health behaviors to monitor the patient's improvement, adherence, and results. You can also use strategies such as feedback loops, continuous improvement, or quality improvement to identify and address gaps, issues, and opportunities.
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Brendon Scott
Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
I agree fully. One question was put to us that we found difficult answer. Time. When is the right time to follow up and survey? What survey questions will achieve the information sought without triggering negative emotions. And my suggestion is to send out SMS with a survey link or add a reminder to follow up or report in based on the agreed upon outcomes per time line.