title: Understanding, identifying, and teaching the low-literacy patient.
abstract: Approximately 20% of the population is considered to have low literacy skills, with reading skills below the fifth- to eighth-grade level. The illiterate patient has unique problems that complicate the usual methods for patient education. If we are to successfully engage patients in their own care, it is essential that we understand the problem of low-literacy, identify those individuals who are illiterate, and modify our teaching techniques accordingly.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Revell
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic