Enhance patients’ health literacy with audio-visual and face-to-face education

Health literacy tools include:

• Handouts
• Audio-visual materials
• Face-to-face talks with patients
• Signage consisting of easily understood symbols (http://www.hablamosjuntos.org/signage/symbols/default.using_symbols.asp)
• Flip charts, diagrams, and wall posters (example: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/)
• Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
• Individual counseling

Read on to see how different doctors use these tools.

If you only treat your patients’ illnesses at your clinic, and then send them home, your duties are incomplete. Helping patients better understand their illness or procedure is...