On my soapbox again: H...
I’m on my soapbox again: Health care providers do not empower patients. Yes, I’m picking at semantics. But words influence thoughts, and thoughts create actions. If we don’t look at our words, it could lead us down the path of ineffective action. The dictionary has 3 definitions...Do your translations ta...
You know about the need for patient education materials to be written in plain and clear language. You do that all the time. And you even have your materials translated into another language—or languages—because your patient population is diverse. But are your translations...Sometimes adherence dep...
I had lunch today with a friend who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He talked about Tony (I made up that name), who also has diabetes but is in denial about the need for dietary changes. Tony continues to drink significant quantities of beer, and eat the chips and pasta he...How the public hears wh...
Health care providers aren’t the only ones who are misunderstood. Scientists are now talking about the need to use plain language if they want the public to understand their work and results. Scientific terms are clearly defined, but the public is unfamiliar with those definitions...“I’m only r...
“I’m only responsible for what I say, not what you understand.” Really? Does this apply to health care providers? To communicate means to succeed in conveying one’s ideas or in evoking understanding in others. Isn’t it our responsibility to evoke understanding?...Current Resources on He...
“Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in health care facilities, retail outlets, media, and communities.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011) “Health literacy is the ability to...“I don’t wa...
“I don’t want my stuff dumbed down. All my patients understand this!” “This handout has worked for me for 25 years, and it doesn’t need changing.” I confess, when I hear reactions like this I wonder: Is this health care professional specializing...It’s about the money:...
I just read a great quote from a doctor: “most of what is done in the name of patient education is a waste of everybody’s time and money” (Spaeth, 2011). There’s a good chance you know a health care provider who thinks like this. Or an administrator. The author’s argument...Is teach back your stan...
Your organization is proud to support an evidence-based practice, right? Yet do your policies, procedures, and documentation reflect the evidence that it is effective and efficient to evaluate every patient’s understanding through teach back? Do they indicate it is worthwhile...That which matters most...
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said,“That which matters most must never be at the mercy of that which matters least.” Facts: 1. We have evidence that clearly demonstrates that patient and family education, when done well: — improves knowledge, reduces anxiety, improves...
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