When it comes to having chronic illness, sometimes, I feel like I have to have a medical degree to handle all the jargon, words, understanding blood work, and having reliable information for my illnesses. In this article I am going to write about Health Literacy. I feel it is important that those of us with chronic conditions, or who might be taking care of someone with a chronic condition, to not be afraid to ask questions or research and learn about their illnesses. I do not have a college degree and I have never been to medical school but I do know how to read and I know how to find out stuff that I do not understand. When I was a child my birth mom would tell me to never be afraid to look up words if I did not know what they were. I still take that to heart as a 46 year old woman.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 title V defines health literacy as: the degree a person has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions. There are some who believe there are three more things that need to be added to this definition and I happen to agree with them.
Suggested Additions to the PPACA of 2010:
- Emphasize people’s ability to use health information rather than just understand it.
- Focus on the ability to make well-informed decisions rather than appropriate ones.
- Incorporate a public health perspective to these decisions.
Here are some factors that affect health literacy:
- Knowledge of medical terms
- Understanding of how the health care system works
- Ability to communicate with wellness team that includes doctors, nurses, caregivers, counselors, dieticians, and personal trainers
- Ability to find health information
- Personal factors such as: language barriers, cultural barriers, age, income, abilities
- Physical and mental limitations
I remember when my dad had cancer he was afraid to contradict his doctor and relied on him to know al the answers since he had the authority. What my dad failed to realize and what many fail to realize is that you are in charge of your wellness/health and the doctor may have schooling but he does not know everything. He does not know how you feel, and he does not know when you do not understand the medical terms, he is stating to you quickly. It is okay to question them so that you understand the reason you are taking the medication they are prescribing or the treatment they want you to receive. Also, it is okay to question them when two sources are contradicting them.
For example, when my doctor wanted to prescribe a medication to me and I told him I cannot take it because it will react with a medication I am taking. He said that he knew more than the pharmacist. I held my ground and he later apologized to me because he did more research and found that I was correct and that the pharmacist was correct. Some doctors have big egos and it is okay to question them and stick to your guns. You do not have to be mean or rude, just say kindly why you feel this way. Communication is a big thing with wellness and health. If you are not able to communicate well with your doctor it is you who will suffer and so it is important to give him all the information even if it is embarrassing.
This is why it is important to communicate with your medical team:
- You can make good decisions about your health and wellness when only the medical team has all the information needed to make a choice.
- You will get better medical care
- You can take your medications correctly which will help you in the long run.
- You can manage your chronic illness effectively
- You can lead a healthier lifestyle
Here are some suggestions from me in how to have better health literacy:
- Know how to research and what the accurate websites are. This is a link to all the major medical institutes that doctors use: List of NIH Institutes, Centers, and Office
- Do not be afraid to look up medical terms or ask the doctor to explain the medical terms he is using. I will have a great medical dictionary to help you with this. I look up things from my blood work and new medical terms I do not know: Medical Dictionary
- Keep a list of all your medications, herbal, essential oils, etc so that your pharmacist and wellness team know what you are taking. Also read up on how these medications work and how to take them effectively. Do not be afraid to ask the pharmacist. They will happily help you.
- Do not be afraid to ask and contradict your doctor when something is not making sense and it is contradicting another doctor. Doctors do not know everything and sometimes they do have to do their own research. This helps them to learn so they can help others. Be kind when you do it. Be respectful.
- When you have a doctor appointment make sure you have the blood work done and the questions you have to ask ready for when he walks in the room. This helps you both.
- Finally, do not be afraid to ask for help from a trusted family member or friend when you need more help with a doctor appointment. I know some have anxiety when they see the doctor and sometimes, they need a companion to help ask the questions. It is okay to do this.
The Wellness Works NW Team is honored to be part of your team and it is important to share your health information with us so that we can aide you on your journey. That includes letting us know what medications you are taking and if you have diabetes or heart disease or high blood pressure. Karen G Clemenson is awesome at coaching and cheering you on. We are also available if you would like us to research your illness so that you have the best information to help you be as well as possible. If you are not a client, we are a good source and team player in your journey as well. We can help you with a exercise routine that fits your goals and a meal plan to help you too. Let us know how we can help you.
Be well!
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- Be More Engaged in Your Healthcare by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Staff
- Health Literacy by Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Staff
- List of NIH Institutes, Centers, and Office by National Institutes of Health Staff
- Medical Dictionary by The Free Dictionary by Farlex Staff
- National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Staff
- What is is Health Literacy? by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Staff
- Image Credit: Survey: Patients Becoming More Engaged with their Healthcare by Rajiv Leventhal for Healthcare Innovation
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Jamie Holloway is a co-owner of Wellness Works NW and she is also our Research Manager and writes our Chasing Wellness with Jamie Holloway and Dear Jamie columns. Jamie is also an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
