Health literacy, according to the Institute of Medicine, is defined as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions." Nearly half of all American adults, 90 million people, have difficulty understanding and acting upon health information (Institute of Medicine: A Prescription to End Confusion). Many of these people include recent immigrants, non-English speaking adults, the poor, and the elderly.
The ACP Foundation develops materials to help improve communication between patients and clinicians and give patients tools they need to effectively manage their health.
Patient Guides |
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Everyday Guides are interventions that successfully motivate patients to manage their chronic disease. Managing chronic disease is particularly challenging for patients with low health literacy. Clinicians need tools to help them educate patients to effectively manage chronic conditions. The ACP Foundation offers patient guides that are easy to use and effective in helping patients manage their health. |
Patient Booklets |
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The patient booklet was developed to encourage conversation between the patient and their physician. It provides important information about the condition and warning signs that should trigger action by the patient or care giver. |
HEALTH TiPS |
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HEALTH TiPS are two sided 4"x 6" sheets that contain important information that patients need to know to manage their health. HEALTH TiPS are developed at or below a fifth-grade reading level, in English and Spanish, and are designed specifically for the 90 million people who have difficulty understanding and acting on health information -- nearly half of all American adults. Free. |
e-HEALTH TiPS |
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Graphically enhanced version of HEALTH TiPS for you to download and print on 8 ½" x 11" paper. Free. |
HEALTH NoTES |
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HEALTH NoTES are tools that facilitate physician-patient communication by identifying key concepts that reinforce physician messages. HEALTH NoTES are used during the office visit to guide physician-patient communication, after the visit to reinforce what patients need to know and do, and by patients' families to help with medication and treatment adherence. |
Videos |
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VIDEO HEALTH TiPS are short, easy to understand, patient-centered videos made with real patients, physicians and other health professionals. The videos provide patients with information and teach skills they need to know in order to manage their health. Longer running condition specific videos are also available. |
Information Rx |
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A collaboration with the National Library of Medicine to give physicians tools to refer patients to accurate and trustworthy health information on the internet. |
