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As you
can imagine, a constellation of reading and numerical skills are required to
function in the health care environment.
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These
include:
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Reading prescription bottles (medications)
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Figuring out appointment slips (one
study found that 26% of patients could not read their appointment slips).
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Understanding informed consents
(Informed consent language is usually at the 12th-17th
grade level. The average American
reads at an 8th grade level.)
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Understanding discharge instructions
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Following diagnostic test or procedure instructions
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Reading health education materials (Most
are written at 12th grade or above. It is very difficult to simplify complex
ideas.)
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Completing forms like health histories, insurance forms, etc.
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