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From: Lisa Schmalzried <ccread@alltel.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4027] Re: QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL LITERACY
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Thanks for your comments Audrey, very good points indeed! I dislike when
doctors talk to me in their language instead of my own (which is English
:)). What a wonderful suggestion to bring it down for everyone. I have
included that in my awareness presentations to medical staff. The doctors,
however, are not attending those talks. :( Lisa
Audrey Riffenburgh wrote:
> Greetings:
>
> This is a very interesting thread of discussion. I understand how
> medical professionals would want to know the literacy levels of their
> patients but I think it's a tough goal to achieve.
>
> I have a reading background and worked in adult literacy at the local,
> state, and national level for almost a decade before moving into health
> literacy. I have spoken with many adult literacy students about their
> experiences in medical settings. They have taught me that people who
> have limited literacy skills are often very reluctant to talk about it,
> in any setting.
>
> If we set up situations that "force" them to admit they can't read
> something or that they need help, or someone is watching to see if they
> stumble and then intervenes, it may alienate them tremendously. Instead,
> I advocate that medical professionals change their processes to be
> inclusive of everyone. Since we know that about half of US adults read
> at or below 8th grade level, doesn't it make sense to adjust the systems
> we use to meet the needs of that half instead of trying to figure out
> who they are? The doctor's office Lisa wrote about is a great example.
> They learned that having patients fill out forms didn't give them
> accurate health information, so they changed their way of doing things
> to address the challenge. This is a great strategy!
>
> Audrey Riffenburgh, M.A.
> President, Riffenburgh & Associates
> P.O. Box 6670, Albuquerque, NM 87197-6670
> Phone: (505) 345-1107 Fax: (505) 345-1104
> E-mail: ar@plainlanguageworks.com
> Specialists in Plain Language & Health Literacy since 1994
> =============================================
> Principal & Founding Member, The Clear Language Group
> www.clearlanguagegroup.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lisa Schmalzried" <ccread@alltel.net>
> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 12:43 PM
> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4024] RE: QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL LITERACY
>
> > To elaborate a little bit, this doctor's office does everything
> orally.
> > They ask the patients questions and as the patient answers the office
> person
> > inputs it into the computer. They used to ask patients to fill out
> forms,
> > but no longer do so. Thank you to everyone responding to my question.
> I
> > appreciate the tips I'm getting. Lisa
> >
> > Linda Flores wrote:
> >
> > > Lisa,
> > >
> > > In my experience patients usually let you know
> > > what their literacy skills are. However,
> > > one good question could be to ask them to read/
> > > fill out paperwork and if they will need help from someone
> > > when doing so.
> > >
> > > Linda G. Flores
> > > Assistant Regional Coordinator
> > >
> > > Women's Health Network/
> > > VNA Care Network
> > > 888-663-3688 X-4723
> > > 781-455-6661
> > > lflores@vnacarenetwork.org
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Lisa Schmalzried [mailto:ccread@alltel.net]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 10:02 AM
> > > To: Multiple recipients of list
> > > Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4021] QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL LITERACY
> > >
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I am the director of a literacy council in Meadville PA, and am
> working
> > > with a physician's group to
> > > come up with a list of questions that could be asked at patient
> intake
> > > that would reveal their
> > > literacy needs. I was wondering if anyone has done this already
> with
> > > success and if you'd be willing
> > > to share. WE are engaging a local pharmacist also to help with
> > > simplifiying medicine labels.
> > >
> > > My thoughts are that with a good rapport, adults having literacy
> needs
> > > would indicate that when
> > > asked. Others might respond that they have no trouble with literacy
> and
> > > you won't find out until
> > > much later. Thanks for your help in this. If I didn't explain it
> > > properly, I'll try again.
> > >
> > > Lisa Schmalzried
> > >
> ************************************************************************
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