Assignment:
Instructions:Introduce yourself/background and describe your understanding of the topic of health literacy. Discuss how you see health literacy as applicable to your work and interests.
Classmate's post:My name is Bridget, I live in Amesbury MA with my hubby, and we have two teenagers, well one almost not! Our son lives down the street about a mile away, and our daughter is in the home stretch of her senior year of high school. Health Literacy is one of my last classes before beginning the practicum. I currently work as a Research Analysts for a medical marketing company.
According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion health literacy is defined as, "Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions"1
Health literacy and clear communication are essential in all aspects of health care and health-related education. This applies to my job considerably now as we are dealing with multiple different facets of knowledge in different demographic groups. We deal with pharmaceutical companies, physicians, patients, as well as caregivers, all of whom have different rates of expertise. Education is crucial to patient-provider relationships, patient success, and optimal outcomes. Education also brings about patient empowerment. It gives them a more significant voice in their care and ability to share their story with others including their family. On the flip side, health literacy is essential for providers and pharmaceutical companies in understanding patient needs and gaps in understanding. There is never an end to knowledge and when we start to think there is we run into significant health disparities and a breakdown in communication which hinders a positive outcome on all sides of the story.
References:
1. Health Literacy - Fact Sheet: Health Literacy Basics. Health.gov. Available at: https://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic.htm. Accessed March 4, 2018.
½ -1 page AMA format response to classmates post below