Seven Steps to Better Health Literacy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines health literacy as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness." Studies have shown that one third of the US population has a low literacy level. In addition, cultural beliefs and language barriers also contribute to a patient's ability to understand his or health condition and treatment options. This CME activity explores the impact of health literacy on a patient decisions for care and outlines strategies that may reduce a provider's risk for legal action.
Learning Objectives
- Define the concept of health literacy for physicians and other health care providers
- Discuss some of the obstacles to health literacy that exists in our patient population
- List potential strategies to minimize obstacles to health literacy.
- Identify areas of health literacy that may lead to legal actions.
Course Fees
MMS Member Physicians: $12
Nonmember Physicians: $22
Allied Health Professionals: $9.60
Format: Text
CME Credit: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, risk management study
