A Systematic Review of Communication and Health Literacy Barriers in Healthcare
by Reeya Sannake
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract – With modern technology, healthcare is advancing, but there are still barriers present in healthcare. As the population grows, the barriers become more glaring and evident. Through research of literature, data, statistics, and recorded audios on communication and health literacy barriers to healthcare. Communication and health literacy has often been misguided by the public. In my research paper, the following has been noted about the barriers; (i) patients have a hard time raising the voice due to fear and embarrassment; (ii) patients often leave out crucial information; (iii) healthcare professionals don’t create flow between conservation by focusing mostly on the notes and not the patient; (iv) factors that impact health literacy include race, gender, and poverty; (v) health literacy can impact a person’s life and can misguide their diagnosis; (vi)having pamphlets and instructions that are easy to read have proven to increase health literacy. In order to address these barriers, there are several proposals in my research paper for both communication and health literacy methods. For example, respecting cultural differences and language barriers, having easy to read pamphlets and reading doctor approved online on specific health conditions, and offering longer conservation. Overall, these proposals could reduce the effect on the barriers in healthcare.