Health literacy: a key educational role for nurses and a vital tool for improving health

Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative...

Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and...

Accountability in nursing is a fundamental principle that underscores the obligation of nurses to take responsibility for their actions and answer for any errors or omissions in patient care. This principle is grounded in the professional, legal, and ethical frameworks that shape nursing practice. For instance, nurses must adhere to all relevant laws, regulations, and practice standards, including guidelines set forth by nursing boards and professional bodies, to ensure their actions comply...

The vital purpose of health records is to provide a complete and accurate account of a patient's medical history, including communication, diagnostic and therapeutic orders, care planning, research, and quality review.
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:

In healthcare, informed consent is a crucial process that involves thoroughly communicating medical treatment options to patients, including benefits, risks, potential side effects, and alternatives. This process enables patients to make well-informed decisions about their care, ensuring they understand the implications of their choices before consenting to or refusing treatment.
The legal responsibilities of a nurse regarding informed consent include the following:

The healthcare system is constantly changing and complex. Various services are available from different healthcare providers, but gaining access to these services has become challenging for people with limited healthcare insurance. Uninsured people present a challenge to healthcare because they frequently postpone or forego treatment.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...