Adaptation of the health literacy universal precautions toolkit for rheumatology and cardiology - applications for pharmacy professionals to improve self-management and outcomes in patients with chronic disease.
Over a decade of research in health literacy has provided evidence of strong links between literacy skills of patients and health outcomes. At the same time, numerous studies have yielded insight into efficacious action that health providers can take to mitigate the negative effects of limited literacy. This small study focuses on the adaptation, review and use of two new health literacy toolkits for health professionals who work with patients with two of the most prevalent chronic conditions, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Pharmacists have a key role in communicating with patients and caregivers about various aspects of disease self-management, which frequently includes appropriate use of medications. Participating pharmacists and staff offered suggestions that helped shape revisions and reported positive experiences with brown bag events, suggestions for approaches with patients managing chronic diseases, and with concrete examples related to several medicines [such as Warfarin(©)] as well as to common problems [such as inability to afford needed medicine]. Although not yet tested in community pharmacy sites, these publically available toolkits can inform professionals and staff and offer insights for communication improvement.
['Callahan|Leigh F|LF|', 'Hawk|Victoria|V|', 'Rudd|Rima|R|', 'Hackney|Betsy|B|', 'Bhandari|Sonia|S|', 'Prizer|Lindsay P|LP|', 'Bauer|Thomas K|TK|', 'Jonas|Beth|B|', 'Mendys|Philip|P|', 'DeWalt|Darren|D|']
D001168:Arthritis D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases D002908:Chronic Disease D057220:Health Literacy D006282:Health Personnel D006801:Humans D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment D012648:Self Care
Health literacy Brown bag review Medication adherence Teach-back method