Building Health Literacy Skills: A Practical Guide

For health organizations, healthcare providers including doctors, nurses, allied health, and every patient-facing staff.

What you'll learn

Understand the concept and importance of health literacy in improving communication and health outcomes.

Apply effective communication strategies as a healthcare provider, such as plain language, teach-back and chunk & check.

Support patient engagement by promoting preparation and active participation in care.

Identify key organizational practices that promote a health-literate environment.

Requirements

Passion for learning.

Description

This course on health literacy is thoughtfully structured into four comprehensive sections, each addressing a key dimension of the topic to ensure a well-rounded understanding and practical application. The first section serves as an introduction, offering a clear and comprehensive definition of health literacy, while emphasizing its critical role in promoting effective communication, informed decision-making, and improved health outcomes. This foundational part sets the stage for the rest of the course by establishing why health literacy matters across all levels of the healthcare system. The second section explores health literacy from the healthcare provider's perspective, consisting of eight detailed chapters that focus on communication techniques, patient engagement strategies, and the importance of using plain language and empathetic listening to support patient understanding. It provides actionable tools that providers can implement to ensure they are meeting their patients’ informational needs. The third section shifts the focus to the patient’s perspective, highlighting the importance of preparation before healthcare encounters. It empowers patients by offering guidance on how to ask the right questions, retain critical health information, and actively participate in their own care. The fourth and final section examines health literacy through the lens of healthcare organizations. This part includes eleven chapters that lay out specific, action-oriented steps organizations can take to become truly health literate. These chapters cover essential topics such as staff training, material review, and system-wide communication practices that support equitable access to health information. Altogether, the course provides a multifaceted and practical approach to advancing health literacy at individual, professional, and organizational levels.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Definition of Health Literacy

Lecture 2 Why Health Literacy is Important?

Lecture 3 Touchpoints in Healthcare

Section 2: Health Literacy from The Healthcare Provider's Perspective

Lecture 4 Engage with Your Patient - Part 1

Lecture 5 Engage with Your Patient - Part 2

Lecture 6 Balance Open and Closed Questions

Lecture 7 Conduct Brown Bag Medicine Review

Lecture 8 Use Plain Non-Medical Language - Part 1

Lecture 9 Use Plain Non-Medical Language - Part 2

Lecture 10 Use Medical Terms in This Case

Lecture 11 Slow Down, Be Specific and Concrete

Section 3: Teach-back & Chunk and Check Methods (Sub-Section of Section 2)

Lecture 12 Teach-back Definition

Lecture 13 Teach-back in Action

Lecture 14 Teach-back - Step 1 in Detail

Lecture 15 Teach-back - Step 2 in Detail

Lecture 16 Teach-back - Step 3 in Detail

Lecture 17 Teach-back - Step 4 in Detail

Lecture 18 Teach-back - Step 5 in Detail

Lecture 19 Chunk & Check in Action

Section 4: Health Literacy from The Patient's Perspective

Lecture 20 Patient's Perspective

Section 5: Health Literacy from The Health Organization Perspective

Lecture 21 Overview

Lecture 22 Train All Staff in Plain Language Communication

Lecture 23 Always Offer Interpreters or Translated Materials

Lecture 24 Design Easy-to-read Forms and Instructions

Lecture 25 Use the Teach-back Method Routinely

Lecture 26 Create Easy-to-navigate Environments

Lecture 27 Involve Patients in Designing Materials

Lecture 28 Provide Clear Explanations of Costs and Next Steps

Lecture 29 Encourage Questions Without Judgment

Lecture 30 Review and Update Materials Regularly

Lecture 31 Measure and Improve

This course is designed for all members of the healthcare team who interact with patients, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, patient advocates, medical interpreters, and other patient-facing staff. It is also relevant for health organizations seeking to build a culture of clear communication and patient-centered care through improved health literacy practices.