Literacy Flashcards
What is literacy?
Ability to use printed/written information to function in society, achieve goals, and develop knowledge/potential
Literate vs illerate vs low literacy?
L- Ability to read, write, interpret and understand written information at 8th grade level and above.
I- Inability to read or write, or skills below 4th grade level.
Low literacy- reading/comprehension between 5th-8th grade level
Functional literacy vs functional illiteracy?
functional literacy- ability to read/write well enough to function in society (like being able to make informed decisions, know responsibilities)
functional illiteracy- adults lack fundamental reading/writing skills need to perform everyday tasks
Health literacy?
Individuals ability to process/understand basic health info to inform health decisions
Readability?
Ease at which written/printed information can be read
Comprehension?
Degree to which individuals understand what they’ve read
What is an infodemic?
Global pandemic of misinformation d/t social media, affects pt health literacy b/c its difficult for them to know the accurate information
Computer literacy?
Know how to use a computer. We must make considerations for clients who have limited resources and technological know-how
Are low new Canadians, INDG, and low income populations disproportionately affected by low literacy?
Yes
What are the health impacts of low literacy?
Less knowledge about health problems, more ER visits, poorer health status, higher hospitalization rates, less healthy behaviours and higher healthcare costs
Who is at risk for low literacy?
Economically disadvantaged, older adults, immigrants, english as second language, racial minorities, unemployed, incarcerated, adults who didn’t complete high school, inner-city/rural residents, and people with poor health d/t chronic illness
How to assess literacy? and what approach to take
Never assume someone is literate, convey sensitivity, use universal precaution approach (assume everyone struggles with literacy so make it more simple), and watch for informal cues (missing appointments, surroundings self with writing, dismissing teaching/putting it off)
T or F: pt with low literacy can be reluctant to ask questions/struggle to form questions
True
Why is simplified PEM better?
Helps them to understand and retain the information
How can we measure readability? 2 ways
Using mathematical formulas to test how much someone understands what they’re reading, and using tests to measure comprehension
Teaching strategies for PEMs?
Establish trusting relationship, teach small amount of info to meet learning objective, make info vivid/explicit, teach step by step, use multiple teaching methods, allow time for teach back, encouragement to facilitate motivation, tailoring/cuing strategies, and use repetition to reinforce info
Advantages vs disadvantages of PEMs?
A- available to learner in absence of teacher, acceptable/familiar, available/relatively cheap, convenient form, content easily alter to target specific audiences
D- most abstract form of reality, immediate feedback limited, inappropriate for illiterate learners, proper reading level needed for usefulness, less useful with low literate learners/visually or cognitively impaired
What reading level is PEM usually written at?
5th grade level
Considerations for PEM?
Does it answer questions, does it fits your institutions policy/procedures, does it highlight point important to your HC team, and does it reinforce instructions/clarify difficult concepts
How to simplify PEMs?
Use short/common words, define words, don’t use acronyms, short sentences, give need to know information, reduce word density, reduce concept density, use visual aids, cover page simple/clear, and short=better
Point to consider when evaluating PEMs?
Nature of audience, literacy level required, clarity, languages available, and layout/appearance
Are people with disabilities at increased risk for illness and have greater healthcare needs?
Yes
5 different types of disabilties?
Sensory disability (affects ability to use 1/more of 5 sense) (most common is hearing/seeing), learning disability (affects ability way someone processes information, more common in males), developmental disability (change in child’s development), physical (neuromuscular, CVS, pulmonary problems), and communication disorder (affects ability to send/receive messages)
People first language?
Demonstrates respect for people living with a disability. Puts the person first before the disability (kate has diabetes)
