Nationally-known health literacy expert coming to campus Feb. 27

Mike Wolf, Ph.D.

“Take one tablet twice a day.”

These medication label instructions may sound simple enough. But for many patients, they aren’t.

They may take one pill once a day, two pills at one time. Or they may take two pills, twice a day.

When asked to name their medications, they may tell you about “the little blue pill” or the “square white pill” and not actually be able to name their medications or tell you why they take them.

This example illustrates why health literacy is so important. Health literacy is the ability to read, understand and act on health information. It pertains to people of all ages, races and income levels and it plays a significant role in how patients participate in their health care.

“Just because you give patients verbal information or written handouts about their diagnosis or medication, doesn’t mean they actually understand it,” said Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, M.D., UNMC assistant professor in internal medicine-pediatrics and health literacy researcher. “Our patients’ inability to grasp health instructions can affect their safety, health outcomes and mortality.”

On the level This story is written at an 11th grade reading level — higher than the 5th grade level recommended for patient materials.

Michael Wolf, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of medicine and learning sciences and the director of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Center for Communication in Healthcare. He also has a master’s degree in public health. While on the UNMC campus on Friday, Feb. 27, he will present two sessions on health literacy:

• “Meet the Professor” at 9 a.m. in the College of Nursing, Room 2018. This presentation will be a “Q&A session.” It is open to students and faculty of Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health and School of Allied Health Professions; and
  
• The internal medicine ground rounds at noon in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. Dr. Wolf will present “Health Literacy: Definitions and Controversies.” Lunch will be served.

“Health literacy should be a concern for all health care providers. Studies show that nearly half of patients fall into an inadequate health literacy category,” said Tom Tape, M.D., UNMC internal medicine section chief. “We are excited to bring a nationally-recognized health literacy expert to our campus to provide valuable information and discussion on such a critical industry-wide topic.”

“As health care providers, we must learn to quickly assess our patients’ health literacy and consider it carefully in the way we educate them about their health,” Dr. Nsiah-Kumi said. “This small step will help us greatly improve the care that our patients receive — including clear information about their diagnoses, treatment, and follow-up care. Their health and safety depend on it.”