This is the fifth in a series of articles from the National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR) in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This series introduces sets of tools and resources designed to help your practice.
Members of primary care teams know that to be successful, they have to communicate effectively with patients and family members. Communication skills, however, are not emphasized in health professional schools. Furthermore, clear communication is important not only for clinicians, but for all members of primary care practices. In order to help patients be successful, practices also need to help patients navigate what is often a confusing health system with demands that frequently exceed patients’ abilities.
Cindy Brach
Health literacy universal precautions are aimed at the following three things:
- Simplifying communication with and confirming comprehension for all patients.
- Making the office environment and health care system easier to navigate.
- Supporting patients’ efforts to improve their health.
The AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit is designed for the busy adult or pediatric primary care practice. Each of its 21 tools is only 3-5 pages long, and a practice can jump in wherever it likes. The tools specify concrete action steps and link to other resources. A Quick Start Guide lets you watch a 6-minute video, then pick one of three tools to implement: Conduct Brown Bag Medicine Reviews, Communicate Clearly, or Use the Teach-Back Method. Practices that want to start the journey toward becoming a health literate organization can start with the first two tools: Form a Team and Create a Health Literate Improvement Plan, which includes a practice self-assessment. Practices can also choose focus their efforts on one of the four health literacy domains:
- Spoken Communication
- Written Communication
- Self-Management and Empowerment
- Supportive Systems
In addition to the Toolkit, AHRQ has created a companion guide with concrete advice based on the implementation experiences of diverse primary care practices. At least one person – such as a practice facilitator, quality improvement specialist, or health literacy team leader – should read it before you get started.
Adopting health literacy universal precautions can help you reach your practice’s goals, whether they are becoming a patient-centered medical home or preparing for value-based payment.
Links to health literacy resources:
AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, 2nd edition: https://www.ahrq.gov/literacy
Guide to Implementing the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit: Practical Ideas for Primary Care Practices: https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/quality-resources/tools/literacy-toolkit/impguide/index.html
Crosswalk between the tools included in the Toolkit and the PCMH certification standards (as of 2014) of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), The Joint Commission, and the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC): https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/professionals/quality-patient-safety/quality-resources/tools/literacy-toolkit/pcmh-crosswalk.pdf
Index of AHRQ Health Literacy Resources: https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-providers/resources/health-literacy.html
Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Family Medicine can take health literacy modules (both knowledge self-assessment and performance improvement modules) for maintenance of certification.
Ms. Brach is Senior Health Care Researcher at AHRQ.