Patient-Physician Communication Is Key to Improving Health Literacy
(Press Release Service) For many, the goal to lead a healthier lifestyle is top of mind at the start of each new year, which often includes kicking off a new diet or workout regimen. While diet and exercise are excellent areas to improve upon, two aspects ignored by many are annual physicals and overall health literacy. Premier HealthNet is reminding individuals that annual physicals not only play a key role in the health care and illness and injury prevention processes, but also are a step in the right direction toward improving health literacy for patients.
Health literacy impacts all aspects of a person’s health care and is defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the degree to which individuals are able to obtain and understand the information and services needed to make appropriate decisions regarding their health care. From the ability to understand a physician’s directions, consent forms and dosage instructions and knowing what questions to ask, to being able to communicate symptoms and health concerns accurately and effectively, health literacy impacts a person’s health care in a variety of ways. Health literacy is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic conditions and preventing potential health….
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