Conference Tries To Improve Communication Between Health Care Workers And Patients

Misunderstandings Effect Health Outcomes, Raise Costs

By
Tom Magliery (CC-BY-NC-SA)

Medical misunderstandings cost Wisconsin a lot of money and can affect patient safety.

A conference promoting better communication between health care workers and their patients is being held in Madison April 13-15.

Steve Sparks, Wisconsin Health Literacy director, said national studies show 1 in 3 adults have difficulty understanding basic health information.

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“It involves distinguishing between medications,” Sparks said. “How do you tell the difference — on a very basic level — between a tube of toothpaste and hemorrhoidal cream, for example?”

Sparks said health literacy also refers to how savvy a person is about accessing and using the health care system.

“What can you ask your doctor, what should you expect when you go to doctor’s office or the hospital?” he said.

Sparks said those with a poor understanding of health issues include the elderly, ethnic minorities and those with little education. The conference attracts doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical librarians and social workers.