INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF HEALTH LITERACY ON PATIENT ENGAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES

Abstract

There has been evidence of a vital correlation between patient health literacy and the incidence of chronic disease, self-reported health, use of preventive health services, health knowledge, hospitalization rates, and health care expenses.   The advantages of health literacy are thought to be rooted in the interaction between patients' skill levels and the demands of the social and health care systems.   Research and practice in health literacy have so far concentrated more on the skills of individuals than on the traits of healthcare institutions. However, recent reports from the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy and federal policy initiatives have raised awareness of the traits of health literate health care organizations—that is, organizations that help people navigate, understand, and use information and services to take care of their health.  Few studies have examined the relative significance of organizational characteristics, such as a respectful healthcare setting and effective provider-patient communication, and patients' health literacy abilities in influencing patient-reported treatment outcomes.