Health Literacy
The Importance of Health Literacy Education in Nursing Education
Health literacy, as defined by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), “is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Health Literacy). With a high number of Americans with low health literacy, more than 75 million, and the negative impacts of low health literacy on health care, it is important that nurses are educated on the topic, states Sheryl A. Scott in Health Literacy Education in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs in the United States.
Nurses use words to teach, to inform and explain, to support and comfort, and to advocate for their patients and …show more content…
Within the participants, there were a large number that incorporated the topic into their curriculum, but the methods and the amount varied throughout the programs. Despite Scott’s inconclusive findings, health literacy education remains an important factor in nursing education in order to address the negative factors affected by low health literacy. Scott (2016) suggests, “including health literacy as a topic within the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses initiative” (p. 157) since it considerably influences patient safety and health care quality. Two components that will guide me as a nursing student and future nurse to ensure great, effective, patient-centered, quality nursing …show more content…
I believed, knowing the terms’ definitions, word by word was the best way. After reading this article, I realized that may not be the case. These classroom classes are my building blocks for my clinical’s, as well as my nursing career. If I incorporate the definition in layman’s terms not only will I be able to understand it, but I will also develop the knowledge needed to effectively communicate with low health literacy patients ensuring a positive patient outcome. Noting that this is a matter that will continue to provide learning material, I will continue with my education in this subject throughout nursing school and my nursing profession. With that knowledge, I will not only be able to, again, provide effective communication to patients to ensure positive health care outcomes, but I could also help other coworkers or students gain some knowledge of the
Health literacy, as defined by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), “is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Health Literacy). With a high number of Americans with low health literacy, more than 75 million, and the negative impacts of low health literacy on health care, it is important that nurses are educated on the topic, states Sheryl A. Scott in Health Literacy Education in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs in the United States.
Nurses use words to teach, to inform and explain, to support and comfort, and to advocate for their patients and …show more content…
Within the participants, there were a large number that incorporated the topic into their curriculum, but the methods and the amount varied throughout the programs. Despite Scott’s inconclusive findings, health literacy education remains an important factor in nursing education in order to address the negative factors affected by low health literacy. Scott (2016) suggests, “including health literacy as a topic within the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses initiative” (p. 157) since it considerably influences patient safety and health care quality. Two components that will guide me as a nursing student and future nurse to ensure great, effective, patient-centered, quality nursing …show more content…
I believed, knowing the terms’ definitions, word by word was the best way. After reading this article, I realized that may not be the case. These classroom classes are my building blocks for my clinical’s, as well as my nursing career. If I incorporate the definition in layman’s terms not only will I be able to understand it, but I will also develop the knowledge needed to effectively communicate with low health literacy patients ensuring a positive patient outcome. Noting that this is a matter that will continue to provide learning material, I will continue with my education in this subject throughout nursing school and my nursing profession. With that knowledge, I will not only be able to, again, provide effective communication to patients to ensure positive health care outcomes, but I could also help other coworkers or students gain some knowledge of the