Beyond Reading Levels: Redefining Health Literacy for Connection and Trust
Description
Health literacy is not about reading level, it's about relationships, understanding, and trust.
In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media, discuss how true health literacy starts with empathy and communication, not handouts or digital platforms.
Dr. O'Leary explains why health literacy is "a state, not a trait," and how every member of a healthcare team, from front desk staff to physicians, plays a role in building connection and understanding. The episode explores tools like teach-back, chunking, and intentional handoffs that help ensure patients leave every visit informed, confident, and cared for.
You'll also hear practical advice on how to make materials more meaningful, reintroduce written takeaways, and use human-centered communication to improve outcomes and trust.
Key Topics:
- Why health literacy is about relationships, not reading levels
- How technology impacts trust and patient satisfaction
- Simple interventions that make communication more effective
- The role of teach-back, chunking, and handoffs in care delivery
- Practical ways to make every visit more human-centered
United States
