Understanding, identifying, and teaching the low-literacy patient

Approximately 20% of the population is considered to have low literacy skills, with reading skills below the fifth- to eighth-grade level. The illiterate patient has unique problems that complicate the usual methods for patient education. If we are to successfully engage patients in their own care, it is essential that we understand the problem of low-literacy, identify those individuals who are illiterate, and modify our teaching techniques accordingly.