Health literacy is a concept that has caught the attention of various stakeholders in the healthcare community due to its widespread impact on people’s health as well as wellbeing. Researchers have classified health literacy as a stronger health outcome predictor than economic and social status, gender, age, and education (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). Statistics reveal that in America alone, 10 million people seek health information from online sources daily. Of this figure, 66% fail to review their sources’ quality while 50% of these searches have a substantial impact on the individual’s healthcare (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Although high-quality information is readily available, the internet also comprises of a myriad of inaccurate and misleading health information. Since health literacy is a dynamic process that involves both patients and their providers, nurses take an active role in its research, education, and promotion. Nurses have an ethical and professional obligation to promote health literacy by identifying vulnerable patients and promoting adequate health literacy through the analysis of online sources.
It is imperative for nurses to identify patients who may be suffering from a low health literacy level and improve health literacy. Many such patients live in denial with regards to their limitations in reading and comprehending health information. Additionally, others may acknowledge these limitations but attempt to hide them in an effort to avoid embarrassment. For instance, patients suffering from the problem may dodge asking questions when medical information is unclear. Research indicates that 66% of patients fail to talk to their practitioners about the information they gained from the internet (Bodie & Dutta, 2008). Nurses, through their intimacy with patients and holistic nature of their practice, are uniquely placed in a position to assess any signs of insufficient health literacy. As the relationship between nurses and patients evolve over time, patients may feel more comfortable to disclose their health literacy deficiencies to them or seek further clarification on health information they acquired from the internet.
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After identifying patients with inadequate health literacy, Nurses can propose the use of MedlinePlus as a reliable source of credible medical information to such individuals. MedlinePlus is a website offering quality health information that is sourced from not only government agencies but also various health-related organizations (MedlinePlus, n.d.). It is a creation of the National Library of Medicine. The online source may serve patients as a medical encyclopedia and dictionary, with drug and supplement information. Its primary purpose is educational and not to sell products. The website achieves this through interactive videos and easy-to-read materials offered in multiple languages. Through the webpage, nurses can provide their patients with accurate and scientific information that is well-organized and suitable for use by the general public.
Additional strategies that nurses could employ is by training their patients on how to access credible and reliable health information on the internet. Online erudition can be evaluated by considering the source, focusing on the quality, looking at the information’s currency, and checking whether there are any traces of bias. Nurses should encourage the reliance on health information from government organizations (.gov), universities (.edu) and health organizations (.org) websites. Experts usually write the information provided in these websites and approved by an editor or editorial board. Since the medical field is dynamic, currency is another important factor to consider. For instance, information on rapidly changing diseases like cancers is usually updated regularly. Nurses should, therefore, train their patients to be conscious of the dates of publication. Lastly, health information should be free of bias and because of this, it is imperative for individuals to check on who is sponsoring the online source and whether they are trying to sell something.
Health literacy is a fundamental part of the well-being of society. Nurses should lead the efforts that will ensure their patients are well-informed. Strategies that will allow for the promotion of proficiency in health literacy need to prioritized and implemented. A medically informed society will give rise to a healthier community.
References
Bodie, G., & Dutta, M. (2008). Understanding Health Literacy for Strategic Health Marketing: eHealth Literacy, Health Disparities, and the Digital Divide. Health Marketing Quarterly , 25 (1-2), 175-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07359680802126301
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus: About MedlinePlus . Medlineplus.gov . Retrieved 25 October 2017, from https://medlineplus.gov/aboutmedlineplus.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Quick Guide to Health Literacy . Retrieved from http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/Quickguide.pdf
