Reassessing health literacy best practices to improve medication adherence among patients with dyslexia

Mental health services use among learning disabilities: data from a population-based study

PURPOSE

People with learning disabilities have complex challenges and needs that differ from people without these conditions. Accessing needed health and mental health care may be affected by level of independence and severity of learning challenges. Our study examined factors and associations which impact help seeking and satisfaction with mental health care in a Canadian nationally representative sample.

METHODS

Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey- Mental Health (CCHS 2012) cross-sectional survey. We investigated the odds of distressed individuals (1) perceiving a need for mental health care, (2) seeking out professional mental health care, and (3) if their needs were met by mental health services. The presence of a learning disability was assessed as a moderator variable in all models.

RESULTS

Distressed adults with learning disabilities did not perceive a need for mental health care as often as distressed adults without a learning disability (OR = 3.82;95%CI:1.64,8.93 vs. OR = 12.00;95%CI:9.19,15.67). Distressed adults with a learning disability weren't as likely to seek out mental health services, but were more satisfied with the mental health care they received as compared to adults without a learning disability.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that adults with learning disabilities have unmet needs. They are less likely to perceive a need for treatment, or to seek treatment, when they are distressed. Future investigation is necessary to understand the factors that influence perceived need and treatment seeking in this under-served population.

Understanding and mitigating low health literacy

To take control of their health, patients and their families and carers need to understand the information they receive from healthcare professionals and be able to apply that information - in short, they require optimal health literacy. People with low health literacy may find it challenging to manage their condition and take steps to prevent ill-health, which may lead to an increased use of healthcare services. Low health literacy is one of the main barriers preventing healthcare professionals from adequately transmitting information to people in their care. It is crucial that nurses do not assume that everyone will understand information about their health, so nurses should adapt their communication and create an environment where people feel empowered to ask questions. This article describes factors affecting health literacy, explains the consequences of low health literacy, and identifies strategies and techniques nurses can use to mitigate low health literacy.

Strategies to Enhance Comprehension in the Healthcare Setting for Patients With Dyslexia

Dyslexia involves extreme difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling in your native language despite at least average intelligence. Health literacy refers to the ability to read, understand, and use health information to make appropriate health decisions. Dyslexia is rarely mentioned as a contributing factor to health literacy. Medical providers should be more aware of the special needs of dyslexic patients and implement interventions to allow them to successfully navigate the healthcare environment.