Health Literacy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified six key focus areas to measure effective patient and family engagement in clinical practice. The intent of this metric is to ensure that practices are addressing health literacy issues, and have system in place for surveying patients to assess health literacy (e.g., CAHPS Health Literacy Item Set, etc.)

Related Resources

September 2019
Patient Portals: How can they impact primary care?
Patient portals are becoming more prevalent, as healthcare providers, payers, and patients become more comfortable with their use. A 2017 survey found that 82% of patients reported having logged into their provider’s patient portal at least once – a drastic change from a similar 2013...
Patient Portals: How can they impact primary care?
October 2018
Supporting the Health Care Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood in the Medical Home
Risk and vulnerability encompass many dimensions of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Transition from pediatric, parent-supervised health care to more independent, patient-centered adult health care is no exception. The tenets and algorithm of the original 2011 clinical report, “...
Clinicians:
This updated clinical report provides more practice-based quality improvement guidance on key elements of transition planning, transfer, and integration into adult care for all youth and young adults.
American Academy of Pediatrics
April 2018
Using Patient & Family Engagement Metrics to Achieve TCPI Aims
This document outlines how patient and family engagement activities can improve health outcomes and achieve TCPI program-specific metrics, which align with quality payment program standards. Links to additional resources for a deeper dive are also provided. 
Clinicians:
This document outlines how patient and family engagement activities can improve health outcomes and achieve TCPI program-specific metrics, which align with quality payment program standards. Links to additional resources for a deeper dive are also provided.
QI Team:
This document outlines how patient and family engagement activities can improve health outcomes and achieve TCPI program-specific metrics, which align with quality payment program standards. Links to additional resources for a deeper dive are also provided.
Northern New England Practice Transformation Network
April 2018
Choosing Wisely Crosswalk to Achieve the Six PFE Metrics
QI Team:
TCPI Patient Family Engagement metrics and relevant Patient Engagement activities/ tools in ChoosingWisely Programs
March 2018
Mayo Clinic: Shared Decision Making National Resource Center
The Mayo Clinic Shared Decision Making National Resource Center provides decision aids and decision-making techniques. Tools are available for specific conditions and in English and Spanish. 
Clinicians:
Useful tools and aids are available to faciliate shared decision-making with your patients. Give them to your patients, or use the tools together.
Patients:
The resource center contains links to tools that will help you and your provider make decisions together about specific health topics.
QI Team:
Evidence-based resources for your providers to better facilitate shared decision-making with their patients.
Mayo Clinic
March 2018
Patient and Engagement Toolkits
This webiste includes toolkits for evidence-based health system and population health improvement. 
Patient and Family Engagement Resources
March 2018
Journal of the American College of Radiology: Appropriateness Criteria Patient-Friendly Summaries
Guidelines for which imaging tests providers should, or should not, order for different patient symptoms, medical histories, and health status. The recommendations are reviewed every year using an expert panel. 
Clinicians:
Resources to help ordering physicians and radiologists better communicate the reason they are requesting, or performing, a particular imaging test.
Patients:
Resources intended to help patients understand what tests are appropriate for their situation.
QI Team:
Resources to help ordering physicians and radiologists better communicate the reason they are requesting, or performing, a particular imaging test.
American College of Radiology
March 2018
Radiology Information for Patients
This site contains information for patients to prepare for radiation exams, therapies or procedures. There are over 230 procedure, exam and disease descriptions available. 
Clinicians:
This is a great resource for patients who are preparing for a radiology procedure.
Patients:
If you or a family member are about to undergo a radiology procedure, this website can help you prepare in advance.
QI Team:
This is a great resource to share with providers and staff so that it can be passed on to patients preparing for radiology procedures.
Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA)
March 2018
Teach-Back Intervention to Explain Medical Information Clearly
The Quick Start Guide provides clinicians and practice staff with five simple steps for implementing the teach-back approach in the office setting. 
Clinicians:
The Quick Start Guide provides five simple steps and self-assessment tools for implementing the teach-back approach in the office setting.
Patients:
A Patient’s Guide to Teach-Back introduces the model and encourages your participation.
QI Team:
The Quick Start Guide provides five simple steps for implementing the teach-back approach in the office setting, handouts and assessment tools.
AHRQ
March 2018
Health Literacy Tools for Medication Therapy Management
The Quick Start Guide provides clinicians and practice staff with five simple steps to implement a medication management strategy in the office setting.
Clinicians:
Guide contains tips for clinicians on strategies to overcome common barriers to medication adherence, and templates for preparing a complete and accurate medication list with the patient.
Patients:
Use the patient fact sheet to ensure you bring all your medications with you to appointments.
QI Team:
Guide contains sample procedures, templates, checklists and communication tools for practices and patients.
AHRQ
February 2018
Health Coaching: Help Patients Take Charge of Their Health
Learning module highlighting steps for developing and implementing health coaching models within practices offered by American Medical Association STEPS Forward. Participants can earn 0.5 CME Credits. 
Clinicians:
Earn 0.5 CME credits through this earning module highlighting steps for implementing health coaching models within practices.
Patients:
Learning modules that can help patients become more active in their care and support work with clinic improvement organizations.
QI Team:
Learning module with methods for recruiting, training and evaluating health coaches. Workflow templates and evaluation checklist are provided. Offered by American Medical Association STEPS forward; participants can earn 0.5 CME Credits.
American Medical Association, AMA Steps Forward
June 2017
How To Be An Effective Patient & Family Advisor: Guide to Partnering with Your Clinic
About this Guide: When patients and families build partnerships with their health care team – such as doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and clinic staff - to improve health care, everyone benefits! This guide will help you decide if you want to partner with your health care team as...
Clinicians:
Use this guide to recruit and train patient and family advisors for your clinic, and ensure your program is following best practices.
Patients:
Through this guide you will learn more about the patient and family advisory role and how to effecitvely participate as one.
QI Team:
Use this guide to recruit and train patient and family advisors for your clinic, and ensure your program is following best practices.
PCPCC
March 2016
Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative
This change packet was originally created as a guide for practices participating in the Transforming Clinical Practies Initiative. It outlines tangible steps to meet TCPI goals, which align with Quality Payment Program standards. 
Clinicians:
Providers may use the TCPI Change Package to guide their transformation efforts. It is organized around three management functions that will drive performance, quality, and success.
QI Team:
This change packet outlines tangible steps to meet TCPI goals, which align with Quality Payment Program standards.
CMS
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Six Metrics for Transformation

Support for Patient & Family Voices

Shared Decision-Making

Patient Activation

E-tool Use

Health Literacy

Medication Management

Learn more about the Metrics

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