title: Teaching medical students about health literacy: 2 Chicago initiatives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop medical students' skills in interacting with individuals who have limited health literacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Described are 2 novel approaches to health literacy curriculum design. Efforts at both schools have been implemented to improve medical student awareness of health literacy, as well as specific skills in clear communication and strategies that ensure patient understanding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary data from one school suggest an increase in use of health literacy behaviors. Curriculum development at both schools is ongoing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ultimate goal of these curricula is for students to develop the core skills necessary for effective communication with all patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. wrharper@uchicago.edu
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makoul
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014495:Universities