What approach should you take if a patient has limited literacy and needs help reading medical information?

• A. Explain using medical jargon and rely on patient questions.
• B. Use plain language, offer visual aids, confirm understanding with teach-back, and provide written materials at appropriate reading level.
• C. Provide only verbal instructions without checking understanding.
• D. Always provide the same materials regardless of reading level.

Answer: (B)

When communicating with patients who have limited literacy, the best approach is to use plain language, supplement information with visuals, verify understanding with teach-back, and provide written materials at an appropriate reading level. Plain language means avoiding medical jargon and explaining concepts in simple terms—for example, describing a medication’s purpose, how to take it, and potential side effects in everyday language. Visual aids, like simple diagrams or pictures showing steps for a procedure or how to take a medication, help convey information that might be hard to grasp from words alone. The teach-back method is essential: after you explain, ask the patient to describe in their own words what they will do, and repeat the explanation if gaps are revealed. This confirms understanding and reduces the risk of errors. Providing written materials that match the patient’s reading ability gives them a reference to review later. Together, these elements support safer, clearer communication and better adherence. Conversely, using medical jargon, relying only on verbal instructions, or giving the same materials to everyone regardless of reading level can leave patients confused and increase the chance of misunderstanding or nonadherence.