Patient illiteracy threatens health care

[cezene]

Miscommunications between patients and health care providers are increasing the chances that people who need medical care will be hurt or killed in the process, according to a report from a health care accreditation group.
While cultural and language barriers pose problems for patient-doctor communication, poor general literacy skills can be just as great an impediment, according to The Joint Commission, which accredits nearly 15,000 U.S. health care organizations and programs.

"The implications around all of this are huge if the patient doesn't understand what they have and what they're taking and why. You might be putting the patient in harm's way, and they could be killed," says Dennis O'Leary, president of the commission.

The commission held a news conference in February to present recommendations for health care providers, policymakers and consumers.

The recommendations include specific advice for educating and training health care professionals; using well-trained medical interpreters for patients with English comprehension difficulties; and encouraging a culture of easy-to-understand communication in all facets of medical care.