When communicating with patients who have low health literacy, what is recommended?

• A. Provide clear, simple explanations and verify understanding.
• B. Use medical terminology without checking comprehension.
• C. Rely on patient reading ability alone.
• D. Withhold information to avoid confusion.

Answer: (A)

When communicating with patients who have low health literacy, the goal is to use plain language and confirm that they truly understand what you’ve explained. Clear, simple explanations help patients grasp what to do, why it matters, and the exact steps to take for medications, follow-up, and self-care. Pair that with a teach-back approach: after you explain, ask the patient to restate in their own words what they will do or demonstrate how they will manage a task. This verifies understanding, reveals any gaps, and allows you to address them before problems arise. This method supports safety, better adherence, and more informed decisions, while respecting the patient’s autonomy and dignity.

If you skip these steps or rely on jargon, patients are more likely to misunderstand instructions. Reading ability alone doesn’t guarantee comprehension of spoken guidance, and withholding information to avoid confusion is not ethical or safe.