Bridging the gap between health literacy and patient education for people with multiple sclerosis.
Health literacy links literacy skill level with the ability to understand health information and take control of one's health. People who have multiple sclerosis (MS) are bombarded with information on the disease and its prognosis, symptom management, and complex treatment options--information that is vital to self-management and quality of life. Approximately 50% of the people who have MS experience cognitive deficits, such as memory loss and a diminished capacity for learning, processing, and recalling information. By identifying and removing barriers to learning and building collaborative nurse-patient partnerships, nurses can make MS education meaningful for their patients.
Chiovetti
Ann
A
Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Red Deer, AB, Canada. achiovett@dthr.ab.ca
D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care