AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (3rd edition)

Summary

The AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, 2nd edition, can help primary care practices reduce the complexity of health care, increase patient understanding of health information, and enhance support for patients of all health literacy levels.

Health literacy universal precautions are the steps that practices take when they assume that all patients may have difficulty comprehending health information and accessing health services. Health literacy universal precautions are aimed at:

• Simplifying communication with and confirming comprehension for all patients, so that the risk of miscommunication is minimized.
• Making the office environment and health care system easier to navigate.
• Supporting patients' efforts to improve their health.

Content

This AHRQ toolkit provides evidence-based guidance to adult and paediatric practices to ensure that systems are in place to promote better understanding by all patients, not just those you think need extra assistance. The toolkit is divided into manageable chunks so that its implementation can fit into the busy day of a practice. It contains:

- 21 tools (3-5 pages each) that address improving:

• spoken communication.
• written communication.
• self-management and empowerment.
• supportive systems.

- Appendices (over 25 resources such as sample forms, PowerPoint presentations, and worksheets).

- Quick start guide.