Health Literacy
Waitakere Health Link promote health literacy to enable Waitemata DHB to communicate more effectively with the community it serves by providing consumers feedback on patient forms and information brochures.
Many patients for a variety of reasons may not understand basic healthcare information which in turn reduces the success of treatment and increases the risk of medical error. Various interventions, such as simplified information and illustrations, avoiding jargon and encouraging patients to ask questions, understanding of different cultures have improved health behaviours.
Why is it important?
For healthcare consumers health literacy means:
- Being able to follow a doctors instructions after a visit.
- Being able to manage a chronic illness
- Understanding how to take their medication properly.
If someone can't understand the instructions, then they can't be expected to follow them.
Factors Influencing Health Literacy
Its not just about intelligence or social class. Our health literacy skills depend on such factors as: education-ability to read and write, familiarity with the subject, language, culture, stress, boredom or lack of interest, age, sight and hearing.
How can Health Providers make a difference?
- By ensuring that their communications with patients are clear and concise.
- By taking a patient focused approach.
If you would like to support Health Literacy work currently being undertaken by Waitakere Health Link Contact us