Health literacy and nurses' communication with type 2 diabetes patients in primary care settings

The use of the interactive communication loop has been recommended as an effective method to enhance patient understanding and recall of information.

The aim of the study was to examine the application of interactive communication loops, use of jargon, and the impact of health literacy (HL) when nurses provide education and counseling to patients with type 2 diabetes in the primary care setting in Alberta, Canada.

Encounters between nurses and patients with type 2 diabetes were audio recorded, and a patient survey including a HL measure was administered. Topics within each interaction were coded based on five key components of the communication loop and categories of jargon.

Nine nurses participated in this study, and encounters with 36 patients were recorded. A complete communication loop was noted in only 11% of the encounters. Clarifying health information was the most commonly applied component (58% often used), followed by repeating health information (33% often used). Checking for understanding was the least applied (81% never used), followed by asking for understanding (42% never used). Medical jargon and mismatched language were often used in 17% and 25% of the encounters, respectively. Patients' HL did not materially affect patterns of communication in terms of using communication loops; however, nurses used less jargon and mismatched words with patients with inadequate HL.

The overuse of medical jargon accompanied with underuse of communication loop components jeopardizes patients' comprehension and retention of information that they need to know to properly self-manage their diabetes. Nurses need to develop more effective ways to communicate concepts critical to chronic diabetes self-care education and management.