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Health Literacy Applications in Patients With Cancer
Stephanie Magallanes1, Jeannine M Brant2
1Stephanie Magallanes.
Background:
Only 12% of Americans have adequate health literacy (HL) skills; 36% have literacy skills at a basic or below-basic level. Increased HL can assist patients with cancer to make intentional and informed healthcare decisions.
Objectives:
This article provides an overview of HL in patients with cancer. Risk factors, assessment, and strategies to communicate with patients and families who have limited HL skills are essential in providing holistic care. Considerations in addressing HL are also given for telehealth nurses.
Methods:
The authors searched PubMed®, CINAHL®, Google Scholar™, and reputable websites for literature published from 2006 to 2024 about HL in patients with cancer. Some of the search terms were related to risk factors, HL assessment, and interventions to address low HL.
Findings:
Risks for low HL included lower education level and socioeconomic status, as well as non-White race, but an individualized assessment is important in identifying patients with low HL. Educating and communicating with patients and families with low HL in all settings, such as inpatient, ambulatory, and telehealth, include using a teach-back method to ensure understanding and application of information, using written materials at an appropriate reading level (fifth grade or less), and reinforcing teaching at consecutive visits.
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