Pattern of obtaining, appraising and applying basic health information and services needed to make health decisions, which can be strengthened

• Age
• Developmental stage
• Education level and reading level
• Usual sources of health care information
• Readiness to participate in plan of care
• Need and use of assistance reading hospital materials
• Confidence level for filling out medical forms
• Problems learning about medical condition
• Difficulty understanding written information

• Desires to enhance ability to read, write, speak and interpret numbers for everyday health needs
• Desires to enhance awareness of civic and/or government processes that impact public health
• Desires to enhance health communication with health personnel
• Desires to enhance knowledge of current determinants of health on social and physical environments
• Desires to enhance personal health care decision-making
• Desires to enhance social support
• Desires to enhance understanding of health information to make health care choices
• Desires to obtain sufficient information to navigate the health care system

• Patient will express desire to interpret personal health information.
• Patient will express desire to comprehend government processes that impact personal and public health.
• Patient will have meaningful communication with health care providers.
• Patient will express confidence in personal health care decision-making.
• Patient will identify sources of social support for health.
• Patient will have sufficient information to navigate the health care system.

Suggested NOC Outcomes

• Provide privacy when discussing health care matters. Patients may be reluctant to discuss personal issues and health problems where others may hear or see.
• Write instructions in clear and simple language to promote understanding and provide ease in reading.
• Use common, non medical terms when discussing care. Individuals outside of the health care field do not always know and understand medical terminology.
• Use clear language and include pictures, graphs, and diagrams to clarify written materials and instructions. Visuals and graphics clarify material.
• If needed, assist patient with forms and documents. Allows patient to see examples of process.
• Review instructions with patient. Verify understanding of information and instructions by having patient repeat back using their own words. Verifies that patient fully understands instructions.
• Refer patient to agencies that can provide additional information and services. Allows patient to seek appropriate information from reputable sources.
• Provide copies of test results and/or reports. Highlight important information. Helps patient keep a record of health information.
• Clarify any questions patient may have regarding care.

Suggested NIC Interventions

• Patient seeks information regarding personal health.
• Patient monitors government processes that impact personal and public health and asks questions for understanding.
• Patient communicates openly with health care providers.
• Patient makes personal health care decisions using resources and by consulting providers.
• Patient identifies sources of social support for health.
• Patient navigates the health care system.

• Patient's perception of health issues
• Patient statements that indicate understanding of disease, health-promoting activities, management techniques during exercise and illness, and necessary self-care skills
• Patient's response to interventions and teaching
• Literature provided to patient about managing the disorder
• Observations of patient's demonstrations of health literacy techniques
• Evaluations for expected outcomes

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• Harbour, P., & Grealish, L. (2018). Health literacy of the baby boomer generation and the implications for nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(19/20), 3472-3481. doi:10.1111/jocn.14549
• Huhta, A.-M., Hirvonen, N., & Huotari, M.-L. (2018). Health literacy in web-based health information environments: Systematic review of concepts, definitions, and operationalization for measurement. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(12), 16. doi:10.2196/10273
• Peralta, L., Rowling, L., Samdal, O., Hipkins, R., & Dudley, D. (2017). Conceptualising a new approach to adolescent health literacy. Health Education Journal, 76(7), 787-801. doi:10.1177/0017896917714812