J Natl Med Assoc
-
Cultural competence and patient centeredness are approaches to improving healthcare quality that have been promoted extensively in recent years. In this paper, we explore the historical evolution of both cultural competence and patient centeredness. ⋯ We conclude that, although the concepts have had different histories and foci, many of the core features of cultural competence and patient centeredness are the same. Each approach holds promise for improving the quality of healthcare for individual patients, communities and populations.
-
Health literacy influences a patient's ability to read and understand labels on medicine containers, appointment slips, informed-consent documents and medical instructions--all of which are considered basic health documents that a patient encounters in healthcare settings. Previous research suggests Spanish-speaking patients have low levels of health literacy. This study compares the functional health literacy (FHL) of Spanish- and English-speaking adult patients in a suburban emergency department (ED). ⋯ The majority of Spanish-speaking subjects have less-than-adequate FHL. Self-reported reading ability and years of school completed appear to predict FHL and may be clinically useful. Due to the disproportionately low level of health literacy among Spanish-speaking patients demonstrated in this and previous studies, future efforts should focus on developing programs that improve health literacy by providing this population with oral translations and pictorial and video instructions.