Importance of Health Literacy

Importance of Health LiteracyNorth Bay Literacy Council BScN Project TeamShannonTalk slow -bring health binder!! Health history easy to fill in1

Ice BreakerAutograph Sheet The objective is to find a person in the group who fits one of the descriptions and get that persons autograph next to the traitEach person may sign each sheet only once Time limit 5 minutes Shannon2

Workshop OutcomesTo differentiate between the roles of tutors and health care professionalsTo understand what health literacy isTo teach the students that they have the right to ask questionsTo understand the importance of health literacy and its impactTo integrate teaching strategies into your lesson plansShannon3

Shared Goals but Different RolesIdentify the following roles as:

Tutors

Medical Professionals

BothSallyTo differentiate between the roles of tutors and health care professionals- Explain clickers

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Shared Goals but Different RolesOffer and explain appropriate screening proceduresA) TutorsB) Medical ProfessionalsC) Both SallyB) Because they are offering it we do not expect the tutors to know all of the different types of screening test; they may go over the papers that explain5

Shared Goals but Different RolesEnhance ability to complete forms, make inquiries for information and navigate new environmentsA) TutorsB) Medical ProfessionalsC) BothSallyA) Basic health literacy tutor might need to take client to an appointment, look up the doctors phone number, etc.6

Shared Goals but Different RolesTeach how to read medicine labels and calculate amounts and timing of dosagesA) TutorsB) Medical Professionals C) BothSallyC) Pharmacist, nurse practitioner, and physician should explain a prescription (why youre taking it, what it does, etc.) tutor reviews with them the medication and how to take it7

Shared Goals but Different RolesTeach how to use medical tools, such as inhalers and glucose monitors A) TutorsB) Medical ProfessionalC) BothSallyB) Not everyone has these and therefore do not expect tutors to knownot within their scope8

Shared Goals but Different RolesHelp learn to locate information to guide health related decisionsA) TutorsB) Medical Professionals C) BothSallyA) Tutors show students different resources for information internet, phone book, library, etc.9

Shared Goals but Different RolesMedical Professionals RoleMake health care services and resources available to patients

Offer and explain appropriate screening procedures

Diagnose illness and develop a plan for patient care

Prescribe medicines and explain their purpose and side effects

Teach patients how to use medical tools, such as inhalers and glucose metersTeach patient how to read medicine labels and calculate amounts and timing of dosages

Suggest measures to protect individual and family healthSallyDiscuss how medical professionals work in their own scope of practice and as a tutor your have your own scope of practice. Even if you have the knowledge you need to work in your scope10

Shared Goals but Different Roles Tutors RoleEnhance students ability to complete forms, make inquiries from information and navigate new environments

Teach students to ask questions about tests, test procedures, and results

Develop students capacity to participate in planning by seeking clarification and offering suggestions

Teach students how to read medicine labels and calculate amounts and timing of dosages

Help students learn to locate information to guide their health-related decisions

Strengthen students ability to read charts and scales and interpret ranges Sally11

Responsibilities of the TutorProvide guidance and support in finding answersUnderstand literacy-related barriers to health careContribute to increasing a students ability to:access careinteract with their health care provideradvocate for their rights

SallyAdult educators are not expected to have all the answers, simply be able to provide guidance and support in finding them.

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Health LiteracyWHATKatieTo understand what health literacy is

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What is Health Literacy? According to the Calgary Charter on Health Literacy:

Allows the public and personnel working in all health-related contexts to find, understand, evaluate, communicate, and use information

KatieIncludes the medical professional along with the patientmedical professionals need to improve on making information more understandable to their clients just as much as patients need to understand.

Ask tutors what the difference of the definitions areinclude in handout!!14

What is Health Literacy?According to the 2002 Joint Committee on Health Education Terminology:Health literacy is the capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that are health enhancing.Katie15

Skills Required for Health LiteracyReadingWritingNumeracyCommunicationListeningSpeakingInteraction Critical analysisComputer skillsKatieThese skills apply to both the health care provider the patient and of course you the tutor!!Computer skills-electronics being used more and morepart of essential skills given in other booklet16

StatisticsAccording to the Canadian Council of Learning (2007):

The majority of adult Canadians (60%) lack the capacity to obtain, understand and act upon health information and services and to make appropriate health decisions on their own

Katie17

StatisticsAccording to the Canadian Business Task Force on Literacy (1988):

It is estimated that the annual cost to Canadian businesses from lost productivity due to illiteracy was 4 billion dollarsKatieIt was also noted that a survey of Canadian businesses with 50 or more employees found that about 70 percent of their respondants claimed to have experienced some problems in their operations as a result of workplace illiteracy18

StatisticsAccording to the North Bay Literacy Councils Literacy and Health Project (2007):

Health care providers in North Bay felt that an average of 10 % of their patients had low health literacy when in fact 70% of people in the North Bay have low health literacy

Katie

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In their shoes

Your naicisyhp has dednemmocer that you have a ypocsonoloc. Ypocsonoloc is a test for noloc recnac. It sevlovni gnitresni a elbixelf gniweiv epocs into your mutcer. You must drink a laiceps diuqil the thgin erofeb the noitanimaxe to naelc out your noloc. Katie20

In their shoesHow does this exercise make you feel? Do you feel confident with this information?Would you consent to this procedure? Why or why not?How would you go about getting more information?

KatieAnswer questions individually 2 minGet into groups of 3 and discuss how you would feel - 3 minDiscuss together max 5 minWhen you try to read this, you experience the frustration of a person with low health literacy skills

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Ask Me 3The Ask Me 3 campaign promotes adults to ask these 3 questions:

What is my main problem?

What do I need to do?

Why is it important for me to do this?

Sarah3) To teach the students that they have the right to ask questionsStudents have a right to ask questions and shouldnt feel silly or stupid in asking any question. Especially when it pertains to their health.Use posters and pamphlets Can be used as a tool to use with students and encourage students to use with doctor**ask tutors - How would you introduce the brochure with a student?Good teaching tool

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Health Literacy WHY

Why is health literacy important?Increases ability to access needed health information and careAllows interaction with health care workers Enables advocacy for their rights

Sally4) To understand the importance of health literacy and its impact

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Determinants of Health

KatieYou may want to add some notes, refer the tutors to their handout with the health determinants? Get some discussion going. Some of the tutors will be familiar with this content but others may not. You can use the Socratic approach by asking them for some questions. 25

Direct Effects of Low Literacy on HealthHave difficulty finding and understanding health informationHave more health problemsMake more mistakes with medicationsHave more workplace accidentsSallyRelate to determinants26

Indirect Effects of Low Literacy on HealthHave lower paying jobs and be unemployedFeel more stress and be more vulnerable when things go wrongHave unhealthy habits such as smoking and not getting enough exerciseHave more visits to the hospital and to stay in the hospital longerHave more difficult in using the health care system

Sally-Relate to determinants27

What Effects Literacy?

SallyTalk about how all of the determinants somehow relate or tie into literacy28

But Why?Jasons StorySarah and KatieRead story role playAsk questionsExplain how it related to determinants of healthTies everything togetherJasons father might be seen by the tutorStress**29

10 Minute Break

Health Literacy HowTo integrate teaching strategies into your lesson plans

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Components of Health LiteracyHealth PromotionHealth ProtectionDisease PreventionHealth Care and MaintenanceNavigation

Shannon32

Components of Health LiteracyHealth PromotionEnhances and maintains health

For example:Reading food labels and recipes Preparing dishes from recipes and learning about nutrition and healthy balanced dietsShannon Food labels to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle33

Components of Health LiteracyHealth ProtectionSafeguards health of individuals

For example:Reading labels on cleaning products or health and safety posting at workVoting on community issues and avoiding harmful exposures

Shannon Protect your health ability to read chemical labels to ensure you are following proper safety procedure so you are not putting your health at risk34

Components of Health LiteracyDisease PreventionTakes preventative measures and engages in screening and early detectionFor example:Reading charts and graphs and postings for immunizations and screeningTaking preventative actions and engaging in screening of diagnostics tests

Shannon - Immunizations!!! Reading the chart FLU SHOT FILL OUT FORM FIRST 35

Components of Health LiteracyHealth Care & MaintenanceSeeks care and forms partnerships with doctors or dentists

For example:Reciting medical history, reading health information and labels, following instructions and medical recommendationsSeeking professional care when needed, describing symptoms, following directions, measuring symptoms, and adjusting their regimen as needed

Shannon doctor visits, reciting info to doctor FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

KNOWING WHEN TO SEEK CARE AND WHERE TO GO AND WHO YOU NEED TO GO TO 36

Components of Health Literacy NavigationAccesses health services, and makes use of benefits

For example:Completing forms, understanding statements of rights and informed consentLocating facilities, applying for benefits, filling out forms, and offering informed consent

Shannon knowing how to access the system. Knowing what services are available to you.

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Why is it important for him to walk up the river?

What does the man in the story represent?The RiverParableSarahUpstream vs downstream thinking

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Teaching TasksThese are some of the things that the student may need help with:Filling out medical formsMaking doctors appointmentsDescribing symptomsTaking medicineUnderstanding screening testsSarahYou can refer to your booklet (health literacy) and other (main) handbook for more details on teaching tasks and lesson plansNow were going to give you a case study to work on that will help you develop lesson ideas when discussing these tasks with your students

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Common Screening TestsVisual ExamCholesterol ScreeningFasting Blood SugarThyroid TestsBlood Tests (for HIV or STDs)ColonoscopyMammogram (women)Pap Smear (women)Prostate Test (men)

Sarah-these are some examples of common screening test that your student may have an appointment for..you may want to familiarize yourself with these test so that you can guide your student in the right direction for finding more information to get a proper understanding of the procedure40

BarriersCostsUnderstandingPlanningKnowledgeDiscomfortFateFearAccess

SarahYour student may feel uncomfortable with any of these tests because:Cost: no health insuranceUnderstanding: do not know how to determine risk, dont understand purpose of tests, do not see value of early detectionPlanning: do not know how to weigh risks and benefitsKnowledge: not aware of free services; do not know how to determine risk; do not know who is at risk; do not know why screening could be helpful; not aware that early detection can result in cure for some diseasesDiscomfort: too embarrassed to talk about screening examination, not comfortable talking to a doctor or a nurse, too embarrassed to talk about certain parts of the bodyFate: sense that what will be, will beFear: prefer not to know, afraid to find something bad, afraid of test, afraid of treatment (it may hurt)Access: lack of transportation or knowing how to access services Eg parabus41

ResourcesMany resources are available for you to use when looking for material to integrate into your lessons Primary resources are Julie Patterson and Joe Mutch who can help you find information that pertains to your needsThe Literacy Council LibraryInternet Public Health UnitAccredited magazinesAssociations related to specific disordersSarahMany resources for example google, websites, Public Library, Public Health Unit, Cancer Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diabetes Education Resource Centre, Ostomy Association, North Bay Indian Friendship Centre..,

The pages of the Tutor Handbook that Julie wanted in the presentation

Put outcomes back up while tutors do the evaluation**42

ReferencesDiem, E. (2005). Community health nursing: Using projects as an entry point practice. In Diem, E. and Moyer, A. Community health nursing projects (pg 11). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Moyer, A. (2005). Starting well: Beginning a small scale project. In Diem, E. and Moyer, A. Community health nursing projects (pg 75-76). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Petch, E., Ronson, B., & Rootman, I. (2004). Literacy and health in Canada: What we have learned and what can help in the future (Clear language edition). Canadian institute of health research.Patterson, J. (2007). Health literacy seen through the eyes of low literacy learners and health care providers: A report of the councils literacy and health project.Rootman, I. and Ronson, B. Literacy and health research in Canada: Where have we been and where should we go? Canadian institute of health research. Rudd, R., Soricone, L., Santos, M., Zobel, E., & Smith, J. (2005). Health literacy study circles. National center for the study of adult learning and literacy (NCSALL), Harvard graduate school of education. www.ncsall.net

Colonoscopy Case StudyYour student has mentioned to you that he needs to have a colonoscopy done and shows you the pre-op instructions that were given to him by a health care professional. What strategies would you integrate into your lesson plan to help your student understand the procedure? ShannonExamples, reading the pre-op pamphlet with them, helping them fill out forms, aiding them in understanding the procedure and what to expect, teaching how to describe symptoms to their doctor. put up outcomes**Refer to package (3 charts)Choose the tasks that apply to this scenario and give some examples of lessons for teaching students how to accomplish these tasks.Refer to:Process of reading pg 55Effective readers pg 57Improving reading comprehensionRoad blocks to reading comprehensionMath/numeracy pg 85Essential skills and health pg 152Shared goals and different roles (our handbook)Internet resources (our handbook)44

Workshop OutcomesTo differentiate between the roles of tutors and health care professionalsTo understand what health literacy isTo teach the students that they have the right to ask questionsTo understand the importance of health literacy and its impactTo integrate teaching strategies into your lesson plans

Thank you for your time!