Low levels of health literacy are a widespread problem.
This refers to the difficulty people have in finding, understanding, evaluating, and using medical information to make sound decisions about their health.
The gap between the complexity of medicine and the general public's understanding of it stems from several factors.
The language we call “medical jargon”—often used by doctors and in medical reports—is overly technical, full of Latin or Greek terms and acronyms that are incomprehensible to anyone who hasn’t studied medicine;
Dr. Google has made the spread of the infodemic possible. The ease, speed, and sheer volume of information—both verified and unverified—often lead to patient confusion. The lack of filters causes people to confuse authoritative sources with fake news, conspiracy theories, or miracle cures, thereby generating misinformation;
Let's add healthcare bureaucracy to the mix: healthcare systems are often labyrinths of rules, forms, and procedures that are difficult to understand, which discourages citizens from seeking treatment or taking preventive measures;
Furthermore, in our culture, we are rarely taught how the healthcare system works, how to read a package insert, or how to assess the reliability of scientific news.
Medical illiteracy affects people across the board, but it manifests itself in different ways depending on age
People over 75 are the most vulnerable group. They often suffer from multiple health conditions and must take many medications, but they have difficulty understanding complex treatments. In addition, the digital divide prevents them from accessing online services (such as their electronic health records or scheduling appointments).
The younger and middle-aged groups have a very high level of digital literacy but low health literacy. They tend to self-diagnose online (either exaggerating or underestimating their symptoms) and are the most susceptible to pseudoscientific trends spread on social media or by unqualified influencers.
Then there is a segment of the population that, regardless of age, has a lower level of education and exhibits the highest rate of medical illiteracy. For example, communities with language and cultural barriers or people with limited access to information sources.
To overcome this problem, a joint effort is needed on the part of institutions, doctors, and the media. Some possible solutions could include:
Doctors and healthcare facilities must learn to communicate clearly. Many countries are adopting guidelines for writing medical reports and “consent” forms in language that is accessible to everyone, avoiding complex words and explaining technical terms;
Introduce school programs that teach students the basics of health: how the body works, the importance of medicine, how to read a food label or a package insert, and, above all, how to verify information sources on the web;
Medicine must be present in the spaces where people gather. Doctors, scientists, and authoritative communicators must use social media, podcasts, and videos to debunk misinformation and explain health topics in an empathetic, simple, and engaging way (just like online science communicators do);
Create support services within hospitals (information desks) and design highly intuitive health apps that can be easily used even by older adults or those who are not very familiar with technology.
The doctors at Life Clinic use clear, accessible language that transforms complex medical concepts into simple answers. This approach is designed to reassure patients and ensure they have an exceptional experience and are completely satisfied.
