Evaluating a Health Literacy Communication Training for Medical Students: Using Plain Language

Medical students tend to use technical terminology without explanation when communicating with patients, and do not feel confident interacting with patients who have low health literacy (LHL). The present study consisted of an evaluation of a brief health literacy training for first-year medical students seeking to enhance their knowledge of health literacy, self-efficacy in communicating with patients who have LHL, and clear communication skills. The training was guided by patient-centered communication, social cognitive theory, and the universal precautions approach to health literacy, and developed and delivered by communication scholars. Results indicated that medical students had increased health literacy knowledge, confidence in communicating with patients who have LHL, and found the training to be useful. Medical student interactions with standardized patients from the cohort who received the training were compared with the previous year's cohort who did not receive the training. Analysis of transcripts of interactions after the training indicated no significant differences in medical students' use of examples. Health literacy trainings should be incorporated into the medical student curriculum, taught in collaboration with communication scholars, and be given more frequently throughout the medical school career to reinforce utilization of clear communication strategies.