Barbara Page
Scottish Dermatology Nursing Society
UK
Title: Improving patient empowerment through health literacy
Biography
Biography: Barbara Page
Abstract
The World Health Organisation has identified low health literacy as a serious public health concern. This presentation will identify global issues within health literacy including influences on patient empowerment, quality of life, wastage and socio-economic costs. Patient empowerment is simply a process to help people gain control which includes people taking the initiative, solving problems, making decisions and can be applied to different setting in health & social care environment leading ultimately to self management. It is important for health care professionals to address health literacy in every patient consultation to ensure people have enough knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence to use health information and take an active role in their own well being.