Safeer Richard S, Cooke Catherine E, Keenan Jann
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2006;2(4):457-64. doi: 10.2147/vhrm.2006.2.4.457.
One's ability to read, listen, and comprehend health information is a vital element of maintaining and improving health. However, 90 million people in the United States exhibit less than adequate health literacy skills. Given that more than 70 million Americans suffer from cardiovascular diseases, it is certain that every physician's practice is affected by health literacy issues. Those with language and cultural issues tend to be the most affected. Yet numerous studies find physicians do a poor job of assessing their patients' health literacy skills. Patients are also unaware of the steps they should take, and how to take them, to improve their health and prevent complications. Numerous studies find, however, that outcomes can be improved with targeted patient education and improved physician communication skills that take into account patients' health literacy levels. Unfortunately, the health care system is only beginning to recognize this problem and take action to overcome its negative impact. By improving the communication process with patients, physicians may be able to improve cardiovascular outcomes.
一个人阅读、倾听和理解健康信息的能力是维持和改善健康的关键要素。然而，美国有9000万人的健康素养技能不足。鉴于超过7000万美国人患有心血管疾病，每个医生的诊疗工作肯定都会受到健康素养问题的影响。那些有语言和文化问题的人往往受影响最大。然而，众多研究发现，医生在评估患者的健康素养技能方面做得很差。患者也不知道为了改善健康和预防并发症他们应该采取哪些步骤以及如何采取这些步骤。然而，众多研究发现，通过有针对性的患者教育以及提高医生的沟通技巧（这些技巧要考虑到患者的健康素养水平），治疗效果可以得到改善。不幸的是，医疗保健系统才刚刚开始认识到这个问题，并采取行动克服其负面影响。通过改善与患者的沟通流程，医生或许能够改善心血管疾病的治疗效果。
