What strategies can you use to prioritize patient needs for those with limited literacy?

Interacting with patients an their relatives particularly through focus group discussions can generate the data to reach to the decisons on the needs.

I'm not sure of other countries but here in Southern Africa or medicine dispensary packets have a place to write a number which would be the amount of tablets then the images of dawn, midday, dusk which can be ticked so the patient can understand better of time to take meds. Infographics help a lot. Visual aids are invaluable. A friend had to present a first aid course to illiterate Somalians. He created a visual first aid book using drawings, for verbal he had a translator, assessment was practical. He didn't have one failure and some students out performed traditionally trained first aiders. Then a good translator is worth their value in gold.

Use simple language, no jargon and use the teach back method. This helps ensure the patient fully understands their illness and care needs. The patient can then make an informed decision about their careand be more involved in the decision making process of their care.

Last year we had colleagues involved in a vehicle accident. The driver managed to apply a Tourniquet to his partners leg and save his life. Unfortunately the passenger needed to have the leg amputated however the parents refused and the boys was also culturally. So the culture needed addressing, then create the understanding of the limb is lost and infection and necrosis will soon set in. They were given the procedure, the reasons, and post care, then also explained impact on quality of life and redirecting into a new career fields. The convincing was done and the seed planted. Then the decision was left to the parents that the father could make the decision to remain head of the household and maintain the respect as the head.

I emphasize the importance of aligning health goals with patients' needs and wishes. The key? Incorporate Self-Efficacy Theory. A person needs to believe in their ability to influence their health. You should seek to understand their values and concerns. Then you can help identify and encourage setting realistic, achievable goals. Empower people by celebrating progress, even the perceived smallest. This approach not only respects autonomy but also boosts confidence in managing health and decision making. Lastly, make sure you use appropriate health literacy and numeracy level language. “Measurable” “Timely” “Attainable” may be difficult for some people understand.

Continuum of care, communication of care. Through each step there needs to be an approach of simple language. Like taking a story to a 12 year old. As we were taught about understanding our job was that if we cannot explain to a child what we are doing then we don't truly understand our work. We had to be so cognitive to be able to explain in simple language. This crossed age and language barriers. Then ensure support and a social liaison capable of ensuring technical language is translated into simple language. Even at adult, tertiary educated level, require this simplification am be support.

Care coordination across the healthcare continuum is critical. We need to remove the phrase “going the extra mile” from our vocabulary, we advocate and coordinate care for patients until they are able to do so for themselves, and that means helping them reach their health goals. Patient portals and apps are wonderful, for those who have digital health literacy and access. Never assume a patient has access or ability to utilize these tools. Connect patients with resources, its not enough to simply tell them about them. The healthcare system is a maze, help navigate, end to end

Empowering patients is a skill. It requires providing education, support, and encouragement to help foster self-efficacy. As complicated as the healthcare system is, self-efficacy is not enough, you need to also provide tools and resources patients can use, and help foster health literacy and self-advocacy skills that patients can use across their care continuum.

I agree. I did notice at one doctors office I was at they had flatscreen displays throughout the practice. These screens played patient education, contact numbers, how to use products, what is avaliable, what are the patients rights etc. During the wait to see the doctor was an educative experience from general medicine to reproductive medicine at female health areas, then patenting advice for new parents. How did this help? It answered some questions patients are/were to scared or shy to ask. In others or made them more relaxed and they felt able to ask questions as the educational video triggered inquisitiveness and questions came easier. Audio can have the same effect.

I agree fully. One question was put to us that we found difficult answer. Time. When is the right time to follow up and survey? What survey questions will achieve the information sought without triggering negative emotions. And my suggestion is to send out SMS with a survey link or add a reminder to follow up or report in based on the agreed upon outcomes per time line.

Find aspects in their lives that can be compared to what they are going through. Use analogies and end results to explain or show them what to expect in the future. Also allow them to use the analogies to explain their current status. Some things are difficult to explain but when you have something that is simple to use and is similar, it helps all to understand more.