Numerous studies have shown that physicians and medical residents often overestimate their patients’ health literacy and assume that patients understand more than they actually do. This article highlights the importance of health literacy and effective communication strategies between healthcare providers and patients. Health literacy refers to a patient’s ability to locate, comprehend, and use health-related information to make informed decisions about their care.
It is distinct from general literacy or education level—being well-educated, such as a college professor or corporate executive, does not necessarily equate to having strong health literacy skills. Unfortunately, many physicians overlook this difference, leading to miscommunication and patient misunderstanding of medical advice, educational materials, medication instructions, or discharge information. Therefore, it is the…
