Health Literacy for Interprofessional Education (IPE) eToolkit

Full of practical tools and materials, the AHRQ’s Universal Precautions Toolkit provides evidence-based information and resources to help healthcare practices address health literacy. Use of the Toolkit is designed to aid provider/provider communication, support patient understanding and self-care and improve patient navigation through the healthcare practice.

The Role of Universal Health Literacy Precautions in Minimizing “Medspeak” and Promoting Shared Decision Making. 
Citation: Lara Killian, MA, MLIS, and Margo Coletti, AMLS. The Role of Universal Health Literacy Precautions in Minimizing “Medspeak” and Promoting Shared Decision Making. AMA Journal of Ethics. March 2017, Volume 19, Number 3: 296-303.
doi: 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.03.pfor1-1703.

Members of the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Health Literacy identified ten attributes of health literate health care organizations. These attributes within healthcare environments support patients and family members' need for clear and understandable health information to be used for decision-making, to better manage their health and self-care and to successfully navigate the healthcare system.

Brach, C., D. Keller, L. M. Hernandez, C. Bauer, R. Parker, B. Dreyer, P. Schyve, A. J.
Lemerise, and D. Schillinger. 2012. Ten Attributes of Health Literate Health Care Organizations. Discussion Paper, Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC.

A Proposed ‘Health Literate Care Model’ Would Constitute A Systems Approach To Improving Patients’ Engagement In Care. By Howard K. Koh, Cindy Brach, Linda M. Harris and Michael L. Parchman. Author Manuscript at: HHS Public Access, PubMed Central. Published in final edited form as: Health Aff (Millwood). 2013 Feb;32(2):357-67. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.1205. PMID: 23381529.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has information on creating a Health Literate Health Care Organization at: Attributes of a Health Literate Organization.

Advocate for Health Literacy in Your Organization. USDHHS. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Health Communication Activities. Quick Guide to Health Literacy. 

Abrams MA, Kurtz-Rossi S, Riffenburgh A, Savage BA. Building Health Literate Organizations: A Guidebook to Achieving Organizational Change. 2014.