Hello Julie,

Here are two questions for you, for those attending the learning  
institute in Calgary, and for the discussion list.

1. My understanding has been that health literacy refers to helping  
patients get heath information in ways that they can understand it,  
for example, in materials written in plain language. It also includes  
health practitioners communicating in ways that patients can  
understand, for example by using plain English, drawings,  
illustrations, and good metaphors. The goal from the health  
practitioner or health educator side is communicating health  
information so that patients can understand, in many cases so that  
they can change their behaviors and live healthier lives.

The question


> - Should special attention be paid to health care  workers with low  

> literacy?


appears to broaden the definition to include contextualized basic  
skills (reading, writing, numeracy, computer skills) for health care  
workers, perhaps to enable them to fill health care positions in  
great demand.

My question: is healthcare-contextualized workplace basic skills part  
of the definition of health literacy? Or is this different, not  
health literacy but contextualized workplace basic skills, and also  
important?

2. I am interested in health care contextualized basic skills  
curriculum (English language for immigrants, high school completion,  
college preparation), especially if it is primarily delivered online.  
My question is, what organizations are creating such online basic  
skills health care curriculum,  for whom, and where?

David J. Rosen
djrosen1 at gmail.com

On Oct 15, 2008, at 12:49 AM, Julie McKinney wrote:


> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am on my way to a learning institute in Calgary sponsored by The

> Centre for Literacy and Bow Valley College.

>

> The topic is: Constructing Curriculum for Health Care Providers

>

> See the info at this link:

> http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/whatsnew/Health+Lit_Oct_08.pdf

>

> I'd love to bring your opinions to the table as we discuss this issue.

> Please write in your thoughts on any of the following questions, and I

> can share them with the group of international participants:

>

> - Who is creating health literacy curricula and for whom?

> - Who in the health care sector needs health literacy curricula?

> - Should health literacy curricula have a common core for all in the

> health care sector?

> - Where is the space for health literacy in professional curricula?

> - Should special attention be paid to health care  workers with low

> literacy?

> - Where are the promising practices of teaching and learning that

> incorporate cultural diversity, adult literacy and health?

>

> I look forward to hearing from you!

>

> All the best,

> Julie

>

>

> Julie McKinney

> Health Literacy List Moderator

> World Education

> jmckinney at worlded.org

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