Karen Hernes, MSN, RN, CNE presented information at our recent open FCNI General Membership meeting on the importance of health literacy for our practice. (A link to the ZOOM recording will be available on the Education page, however continuing education credits are unable to be awarded for the link only). One of the recommendations is to check the reading level of the materials we use or develop for our congregations. Karen recommended the use of a readability tool, such as the Flesch-Kincaid measure. I discovered I did not have Microsoft Word set up to obtain the optional readability level for my documents-so please see her information and check to determine if you are using this feature! I plan on adding this information in a tip sheet on the Members Only site too.
Another valuable pearl from the presentation was Ask Me 3, which is a National Patient Safety Foundation program for patients and families to ask three specific questions to promote understanding. These questions are:
1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?
One of the participants acknowledged the importance of...Tell Me 3...where we would take the initiative to make certain we informed our congregants:
1. What your main problem is.
2. What they need to do.
3. Why it is important for them to do these things.
Then ask for a "teach-back"...by specifically asking the individual/family the "Ask Me 3" to confirm we have imparted the important information intended!
For more information on Ask Me 3, please see: the Institute for Healthcare Improvement at: http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Ask-Me-3-Good-Questions-for-Your-Good-Health.aspx
Another valuable pearl from the presentation was Ask Me 3, which is a National Patient Safety Foundation program for patients and families to ask three specific questions to promote understanding. These questions are:
1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?
One of the participants acknowledged the importance of...Tell Me 3...where we would take the initiative to make certain we informed our congregants:
1. What your main problem is.
2. What they need to do.
3. Why it is important for them to do these things.
Then ask for a "teach-back"...by specifically asking the individual/family the "Ask Me 3" to confirm we have imparted the important information intended!
For more information on Ask Me 3, please see: the Institute for Healthcare Improvement at: http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Ask-Me-3-Good-Questions-for-Your-Good-Health.aspx