Health literacy

Definition

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. It is crucial for effective communication between healthcare providers and patients.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Health literacy impacts a patient's ability to follow nutritional advice and manage their diet effectively.
2. Low health literacy can lead to poor health outcomes, including complications in hematologic wellness due to misunderstandings about nutrition.
3. Nurses play a key role in assessing and improving a patient’s health literacy, particularly in vulnerable populations.
4. Educational strategies tailored to the patient’s level of health literacy can significantly improve adherence to nutritional guidelines.
5. High health literacy is associated with better self-management of chronic conditions and overall improved population health.

Review Questions

• How does low health literacy affect a patient's ability to manage their nutrition?
• What is the role of nurses in enhancing the health literacy of their patients?
• Why is it important to tailor educational strategies according to a patient's level of health literacy?

Related terms

Clinical Judgment: The process by which nurses come to understand the problems, issues, or concerns of patients and respond appropriately.

Hematologic Wellness: The state of maintaining healthy blood and blood-forming organs through proper nutrition and medical care.

Vulnerable Populations: Groups at higher risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health due to various factors including socioeconomic status or chronic illness.