IDRR APRIL -MAY -JUNE 2020 - Flipbook - Page 37
PUBLIC HEATH
doctor and the patient. The ability of the patient to follow
the doctor's advice is related to the communication
quality of the doctor and patient. Many factors such as
social, cultural, economic, psychological and ethics play
a significant role in the success of this communication.
Apart from the doctor-patient relationship, health literacy
also plays a vital role in the health care delivery of
patients. Health literacy undoubtedly affects the health
information, compliance to treatment and health
outcomes of the patient. Health literacy 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.'
(Levine, C. ,2016)
Achieving and maintaining oral health requires one to be
able to understand, recognize, interpret and act on
various types of health information. Oral health
communications materials used are often dense, unnecessarily technical, and full of jargon, obscured by words
like "palatal," "orally," "occlusal" and "gingiva" rather than
more familiar terms used in everyday speech. This makes
them often difficult to follow particularly for individuals
with limited literacy skills and thereby, creating a
significant obstacle to improved oral health, intensifying
other barriers such as those related to finance, access
and insurance coverage. (D'Cruz AM, Shankar Aradhya,
2013)
AUTHOR
The primary accountability for improving health literacy
lies with public health professionals, healthcare and public health systems. They must all work together to ensure
that all individuals can understand health information
and services. They must also engage in skill building with
healthcare consumers and health professionals. Adult
educators can be productive partners in reaching adults
with limited literacy skills.
1.Levine, C. (2016). Demystifying the language of healthcare
and social services. Aging Today, 37(5), 7.
2.D'Cruz AM, Shankar Aradhya MR. Health literacy among Indian adults seeking dental care. Dent Res J (Isfahan).
2013;10(1):20–24. doi:10.4103/1735- 3327. 111760
Dr.Nilima Sibi Thottumkal BDS, MPH (Western University Canada) Public Health Consulant
E-mail: nthottum@uwo.ca
July-August-September 2019
www.idrr.in
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