The Nurse's Role in Health Literacy of Patients With Cancer

Deborah Ballard, RN, MSN, ANP-C, OCN®; and Jill Marie F. Hill, PhD, RN, OCN®, CHPN
CJON
10.1188/16.CJON.232-234

Description

Patients with cancer are often faced with complex diagnoses that require decision making in a highly stressful environment. The role of the healthcare team is to ensure that patients have the information, tools, and resources needed to make informed decisions. However, low health literacy is a common and undervalued factor in the outcomes of patients, particularly those with cancer.

An indiviual's health literacy depends on various factors, such as education, culture, and complexity of the information Oncology nurses are in a unique position to role model and apply best practices for health literacy using evidence-based oral and written communication strategies with their patients. Implementing the fundamentals of universal precautions and the teach-back method are effective deterrents to the negative outcomes associated with low health literacy.

 

 

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