Health Literacy Assessment Tools to Know for Communication in Healthcare

Health literacy assessment tools are essential for effective communication in healthcare. They help identify patients' reading and comprehension skills, ensuring that health information is accessible. Understanding these tools enhances health campaigns and improves patient outcomes by tailoring communication strategies.

1. Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA)

   • Assesses reading comprehension and numeracy skills related to health information.
   • Consists of two sections: reading comprehension and numerical ability.
   • Used to identify patients who may struggle with understanding health-related materials.

2. Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM)

   • A quick screening tool that evaluates a patient's ability to read medical terms.
   • Comprises a list of medical words that patients must pronounce correctly.
   • Helps healthcare providers gauge literacy levels and tailor communication accordingly.

3. Newest Vital Sign (NVS)

   • A brief assessment that evaluates health literacy through a nutrition label.
   • Patients answer questions based on the label to demonstrate comprehension and calculation skills.
   • Effective in identifying individuals at risk for low health literacy.

4. Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS)

   • A simple, one-question tool that asks patients to rate their reading ability.
   • Quick and easy to administer in clinical settings.
   • Provides a rapid indication of potential literacy challenges.

5. Health Literacy Skills Instrument (HLSI)

   • Measures a person's ability to perform health-related tasks.
   • Focuses on practical skills such as understanding prescriptions and health instructions.
   • Useful for evaluating the effectiveness of health communication strategies.

6. eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS)

   • Assesses an individual's ability to seek, find, understand, and use health information from electronic sources.
   • Consists of 8 items that evaluate confidence in using online health resources.
   • Important for understanding how well patients can navigate digital health information.

7. Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL)

   • A concise tool designed to measure health literacy in a short time frame.
   • Focuses on reading and comprehension skills relevant to health contexts.
   • Can be easily integrated into routine healthcare assessments.

8. Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ)

   • A comprehensive tool that evaluates multiple dimensions of health literacy.
   • Includes 44 items across 9 scales, covering aspects like understanding health information and navigating the healthcare system.
   • Provides a detailed profile of a patient's health literacy strengths and weaknesses.

9. European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q)

   • A standardized tool used to assess health literacy across European populations.
   • Consists of 47 items that measure various aspects of health literacy, including access and understanding.
   • Facilitates cross-country comparisons and public health research.

10. Medical Term Recognition Test (METER)

    • Evaluates a patient's ability to recognize and understand common medical terms.
    • Focuses on the recognition of terms rather than comprehension, making it a quick assessment.
    • Useful for identifying patients who may need additional support in understanding medical language.