tailieunhanh - Simply Put: A guide for creating easy-to-understand materials

Effective communication is more than just talking or giving advice. It involves asking questions, listening carefully, trying to understand a patient’s worries or needs, demonstrating a caring attitude, and helping to solve problems. Good communication begins when the health worker sees the patient promptly, addresses the patient by name, and offers a comfortable place for the patient to sit. It continues as the health worker makes eye contact, speaks in a respectful tone of voice, and encourages the patient to ask questions. . | Simply Put A guide for creating easy-to-understand materials What s in this guide Communication that is Clear and Where this Guide Fits into an Overall Communication Make Your Message Text Appearance Visuals Help Tell Your Layout and Consider Translations Take Your Message Testing for Appendix A - Checklist for Easy-to-Understand Print Appendix B - Resources for Communication Appendix C - Formulas for Calculating Appendix D - Strategic and Proactive Communication Branch Division of Communication Services Office of the Associate Director for Communication Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta Georgia April 2009 Third Edition 2 Communication that is Clear and Understandable Communicating a broad range of health messages to a wide variety of audiences can be challenging. Differences among audiences make it necessary to avoid the one-size fits-all mindset when developing effective health communication materials. Culture and literacy skills are two important factors among others to consider when designing health communication materials that will capture the intended audience s attention. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy NAAL released in 2006 by the . Department of Education 30 million adults struggle with basic reading tasks. The NAAL also found that only 12 percent of consumers have proficient health literacy skills1 suggesting that nearly nine out of ten adults may lack many of the skills necessary to sufficiently manage their health. Low health literacy can affect a person s ability to locate health care providers and services fill out health forms share personal health information with providers manage chronic diseases and engage in self-care. One-third of . adults have trouble reading and acting on health related information Source National Center for .