All of the resources included in our person-centred care resource centre have been reviewed by the Health Foundation. We believe them to be of the highest possible standard but we do not take responsibility for the accuracy of information from third parties.
Blog
In this blog, Julie Fenner explores what the new definition of 'health literacy' developed by the World Health Organisation means in practice.
Blog
In this blog, Julie Fenner explores what the new definition of 'health literacy' developed by the World Health Organisation means in practice.
Video
In this talk, and accompanying slide set, Richard Osborne sets out some definitions of health literacy and its impact on people's access and utilization of health care, their interactions with health services and providers, their ability to self-manage and care for their own health and their ability to participate in health discussions and decision-making.
Video
This video sets out how patients are increasingly expected to navigate the health system and look after their own health, taking medications and understanding leaflets and information. Being involved in decisions about their own health and care is essential and understanding information related to that is key. Yet there is evidence that up to 50% of what people hear in a consultation is forgotten and up to 50% of what is remembered is misinterpreted.
Other tools and resources
This infographic sets out a number of key statistics relating to patient knowledge and understanding of what they have discussed with doctor, highlighting the importance of health literacy and how health professionals communicate with their patients.
Discussion papers
In this article Professor Margolis sets out why patient it is important that patients understand and recall information discussed with their doctor and summarises research showing how little of what is discussed patients remember - even when their condition is serious. He sets out a range of factors that impact on a patient's ability to recall information and briefly describes a number of practical approaches to maximising patients' retention of information.
Video
In this 90 minute webinar for QISMET Professor Richard Osborne, a leader in health literacy, talks about health literacy. He describes how different individuals have differing levels of capacity to understand and act on health information, and therefore need different types of support to help them self-manage.
Other tools and resources
This is the National Health Literacy Action Plan for Scotland. Although developed for Scotland it will be useful to others as it provides a really helpful insight into the impacts of low health literacy. It locates the task of dealing with the ‘problem’ of health literacy, not just with those who have difficulty understanding and using services, but with the people delivering them to routinely ensure that people understand and have been understood.
Discussion papers
This report sets out what health literacy is and the impact of poor health literacy. It highlights good practice approaches for individual health professionals, and sets out recommendations for the role GPs should play in facilitating health literacy.
Academic / research papers
Health literacy is broadly about an individual’s ability to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life and as such, it is an important aspect of their capacity to manage their health and care. This survey explored whether information producers know what health literacy means and how important they think it is; what specific strategies they have to address the needs of people with low health literacy and how these strategies are implemented.