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Unit 4: Health Literacy Strategies for Empowering Clients

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Case Study

Remember Stella? She was told that she was borderline diabetic and was placed on two oral medications. She doesn't believe it but tells you she was placed on two oral medications. She refuses to take the medicine because she believes in taking a holistic approach. Recall your initial thoughts from the last unit on how you would work with her. Do you still have the same opinion? What do you think is going on here? How would you help her? Think about it as you work through the unit and share your thoughts on the course blog discussion for unit 4.

Introduction

In units 1-3 we examined health literacy through a social worker’s lens. Research suggests that using empowerment strategies were successful in enhancing health literacy. In unit 2 we discussed using questions in normal conversations in order to assess client health literacy needs. Teaching clients to use questions in medical encounters is an effective way to direct them toward self-management, self-advocacy and monitoring their conditions.

One example is using a mini-check list of a few health questions to enhance their understanding. For example:

Questions for a Medical Encounter

  • What is the problem that I have?
  • Where do I need to go? (for tests, appointments)

Questions for Prescriptions

  • How am I supposed to take this medication?
  • What will it do?

General Questions

  • Anything else I need to know?
  • What’s next?

Social workers should demonstrate, summarize and repeat information to help the client assume responsibility for their care. Applying strategies in this manner will help clients feel more empowered and in control of their health. It will also help them to feel more comfortable and confident in asking questions, thus putting them in charge of their health care.

Objectives

  • Participants will understand client empowerment health literacy strategies
  • Participants will identify two strategies to educate clients about health literacy
  • Participants will evaluate how health literacy strategies are being used at their agency

Purpose

In social work we work "with clients" to help them manage their presenting issue. A common approach that we use in the field is to empower clients. If given the proper tools, clients can advocate for themselves.

In this unit participants will examine strategies used to empower clients to take control of their care. They will watch a video, view a presentation and do activities related to client-centered practice.

Engage

Apply

  • Select two strategies to use in Role Play.
  • Meet in Jokaydia Grid to participate in Role Play.

Reflect

  • In a word document or online journal reflect on what you learned in this unit, how you learned it and what additional info you would like to know about empowerment strategies for client health literacy. Think in context of your work experiences and how the knowledge would be applicable.

References and Resources

Health Literacy teach back example. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vo9Q_EfBX8

Schwartzberg et al. (2007 suppl 1). Communication techniques for patients with low health literacy: A survey of physicians, nurses and pharmacists. American Journal of Health Behavior, S96-S104.

Teach Back: A literacy tool to help client understanding. Retrieved from http://www.ihs.org/documents/literacy/Iowa%20Health%20System%20Health%20Literacy%2009.pdf

Navigate

Course Home Page: Health Literacy for Social Work Professionals

Return to Unit 3: Key Factors of Health Literacy

Class Page ETAP 623 Spring 2015 taught by Byrne

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