Why is this important?

Health care is provided in an ever increasingly complex system. For even the most capable individual, navigating this system can be extremely frustrating and sometimes nearly impossible. Imagine what it is like for young parents, the elderly, hearing/sight-impaired patients, or others with limited physical or mental capabilities. Practices need to overcome cultural differences, language barriers, and low health literacy; otherwise, their efforts to help patients will result in less than optimal outcomes – or potentially even dangerous situations for some patients. Common challenges include engaging patients in care plans, helping them understand the need for follow-up appointments, referrals, diagnostic tests, and procedures – and most of all, avoiding errors in medication usage.

How will these tools help?

The resources in this module cover the following areas:

• How the practice communicates with its patients: Education and information should be available regardless of language, culture, ethnicity, or physical impairment. This module also includes a section on how to use a patient portal to provide patients with electronic access to the practice as well as medical information related to their care.

• What the practice communicates with its patients: This section provides resources based on broad topic areas such as nutrition, patient safety, and how patients can engage in their own care.

• Why the practice should provide certain information: For instance, patient satisfaction surveys can provide the practice with feedback on how they are doing from a communication standpoint.