When identifying patients at risk for low health literacy, it is important to remember that "you cannot tell by looking." People with low health literacy skills have developed a number of clever and successful coping strategies that allow them to conceal their problem. Some patients bring along a friend or family member who can assist with reading. Patients may also watch the behavior of others in the same situation and copy their actions. Some ask for help from the medical staff, while others may ask for assistance from other patients.
Many people with low health literacy skills have figured out coping skills that allow them to maneuver in the health care system with the least amount of personal shame and/or embarrassment. These patients may appear, on the surface, to be in control of their health care and treatment regimens, they are often lacking the critical information they need to effectively manage their condition.
Although it may be difficult to identify a patient with low health literacy skills, there are clues that a patient may need additional help. These include:
print
