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Nursing Resources: Patient Education

Health Literacy Resources

Information and tools on health literacy practice, and evaluation.

Patient Handouts

Levy Library licensed databases with Patient Education handouts

How to evaluate Health Information online

Levy Library Consumer Health Information Guide

Health Literacy

It is important to select patient education resources that fit a patient's health literacy. Health Literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make well informed health decisions. Health Literacy requires patients have a complex group of reading, listening, analytical, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to apply these skills to health situations. Low health literacy can affect a patient's ability to communicate with a health care provider, calculate doses, analyze risk vs benefit, interpret tests, and evaluate the credibility of  information on websites. Once you have assessed your patient's needs, concerns, preferences, and possible barriers to learning, you will need to select resources that fit the patient.  

Sources: National Institutes of Health [Internet]. Bethesda MD. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; c2020. Health literacy; 2021 June 30. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/health-literacy

MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You

MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

 

Consumer Health Websites

Drug Information Resources