Week ten blog - Health Literacy

During week ten, we focused on the topic of health literacy. Health literacy can be defined as “the ability to make sound health decisions in everyday life” (McMurray & Clendon, 2011). Those who are more at risk of having lowered health literacy are those for whom English is a second language, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic minorities and older adults. Previous to completing this module, I had not thought of health literacy as a determinant of health. Since concluding the readings and interview, however, it makes sense that this is an issue health practitioners should be made aware of. McMurray and Clendon (2011) point out that people who are affected by low health literacy may not in fact think to point this out to their practitioner, so it is imperative that the practitioner themselves are capable of assessing their patient to confirm this. Once a lowered level of health literacy is determined, there are steps that can be taken to empower the patient to take control of, and improve, their health outcomes.

The interview for this module was with Peter, a truly inspiring gentleman who is vision impaired. He makes use of a guide dog, which he has named Pebbles, and is an active defender of the rights of disabled people. Peter describes the depression he felt when he was first diagnosed with his condition and his eventual employment by Lifeline. Being gainfully employed has empowered him to be an advocate for others who are living with disability and to be an active participant in his own health. As someone who wants to be a nurse, I found some of his comments to be quite instructive. He mentions the fact that many people feel like a number when they are admitted to hospital, and that many nurses are so busy they cannot care for their patient’s mental or emotional wellbeing. Peter mentions that the worst thing you can do to a disabled person is to be condescending, patronising or indifferent. I found this interview to be enlightening on many levels, and I feel that in my own nursing practice this will help me to be more considerate of people with disabilities and to listen to their own thoughts on how I can help them with more than only medical care.