Professional Experience Placement

 The evolving concept of health literacy (Nutbeam 2008) discussed the development of the concept of health literacy from two differing perspectives. Nutbeam (2008) frames the evolution from the clinical domain as ‘risk’ because it has been recognised that there is a relationship between poor literacy skills and health status that is apparent within the clinical environment. He discusses data from developing nations that demonstrate that disease management can be problematic where literacy levels are low. This author also links low socioeconomic status with adverse effects on health that are independent of other risk factors. Nutbeam (2008) discussed research to define health literacy. There has been a shift in clinical practice and organisation of care to promote health literacy. The evolution of health literacy of a concept can also be traced from educational and health promotion research.  The conceptualisation in this domain is less well developed and focuses on the development of skills and capacities to enable people to have more control over their health. The public health approach as discussed by Nutbeam (2008)  views health literacy as an ‘asset’ that is described as the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. It is more than having the ability to read pamphlets and make appointments, it is the capacity to enable empowerment and engagement in decision making about health. Furthermore health literacy contributes to the factors that encompass the social determinants of health. Nutbeam (2008) also discussed different tools that can be employed to measure health literacy within target groups.

The paper concludes by challenging health professionals to empower people to gain health literacy as this process can impact on the social determinants of health.

Since this paper was written the concept of health literacy has become mainstream and has been applied to health communication using a variety of platforms. The growth of social media discussed in last weeks blog is a strategy that is being used to strengthen health literacy in some target groups. The role of the clinical supervisor is to ensure that students understand the opportunities that are available to patients or clients to engage in personalised health care by using mtechnology and Web 2.0 tools. However, it is important the health professionals are able to discern and recommend appropriate and credible sites. Additionally it is imperative that students also understand the legal and ethical implications of using or recommending specific sites to patients or clients. Further research to study the usefulness of social media and mtechnology as a health literacy promotion strategy is warranted.

If you have any comments about the evolving concept of health literacy you are welcome to post them here.

This is the last blog for 2013. There will be no posting next week and I look forward to further engagement and development of this community of practice in 2014. I welcome legitimate peripheral participation (see previous blogs!) or lurking. I encourage you to make a New Years resolution to also engage with @PEPcommunity and with other clinical supervisors to promote understanding, share information and encourage discourse in clinical supervision that is vital to guiding and supporting emerging health professionals.