How should health literacy be addressed in care management?

• A. Rely on medical jargon and assume patients understand it.
• B. Use plain language, confirm understanding, provide teach-back, and interpreter services as needed
• C. Provide only written materials without any verbal explanation
• D. Limit information to essential instructions and avoid questions

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is making health information understandable and actionable for patients, and ensuring they truly grasp what to do. The best approach is to use plain language, confirm understanding, use teach-back, and provide interpreter services as needed. Plain language reduces confusion by avoiding medical jargon and explaining concepts in everyday terms. Confirming understanding through teach-back means asking the patient to restate the plan in their own words or demonstrate how they’ll apply it, which reveals gaps that can be addressed immediately. Interpreter services remove language barriers so that non‑English speakers can understand instructions and ask questions, improving safety and adherence.

Relying on medical jargon or only written materials without verbal explanation fails to ensure comprehension. Limiting information and avoiding questions cuts off opportunities to check understanding and tailor the information to the patient’s needs.