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Cited by 100Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityPatient-Provider Communication in HealthcareInterpreting and Communication in Healthcare

Challenges and solutions in communication with patients with low health literacy: Perspectives of healthcare providers

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Murugesu, Laxsini, Heijmans, Monique, Rademakers, Jany, Fransen, Mirjam P.·2022·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0267782PMC PMC9067671
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Abstract

Insights in the challenges that healthcare providers encounter in serving low health literate patients is lagging behind. This study explored challenges perceived by healthcare providers and provides strategies in communication with low health literate patients. Primary and secondary healthcare providers ( N = 396) filled in an online survey. We assessed the frequency of challenges prior to, during and following a consultation, and which strategies were used and recommended. Survey outcomes were validated in in-depth interviews with healthcare providers ( N = 7). Providers (76%) reported one or more challenges that were subscribed to patients’ difficulties in comprehending or applying health-related information, in communicating with professionals, or in taking responsibility for their health. Providers (31%) perceived difficulties in recognizing low health literate patients, and 50% rarely used health literacy specific materials. Providers expressed needs for support to recognize and discuss low health literacy, to adapt communication and to assess patient’s comprehension. Future research should focus on developing strategies for providers to ensure patients’ understanding (e.g. applying teach-back method), to recognize low health literate patients, and to support patients’ in taking responsibility for their health (e.g. motivational interviewing).

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  • Patients with low health literacy usually face obstacles in engaging with the healthcare system, including difficulties completing questionnaires, understanding clinicians' professional terms and language, and knowing when to return for follow-up care.

    “Patients with low health literacy usually face obstacles in engaging with the healthcare system, including difficulties completing questionnaires [55], understanding clinicians’ professional terms and language [56,57], and knowing when to return for follow-up care [58,59].”

    From Toward Safer Diagnoses: A SEIPS-Based Narrative Review of Diagnostic Errors (2026) · cites this paper as [56]

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Authors
Murugesu, L., Heijmans, M., Rademakers, J., & Fransen, M. P.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NL)
  • Maastricht University (NL)
Corresponding author
  • Murugesu, Laxsini
  • Heijmans, Monique
  • Rademakers, Jany
  • Fransen, Mirjam P.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2022-05-04
Volume
17
Issue
5
Pages
e0267782
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0267782
PMC
PMC9067671
OpenAlex
W4229082408
Cited by
100
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 2
FWCI
20.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
ZonMw (516005001)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare
Keywords
low health literacy, patient-provider communication, healthcare providers' perspectives, communication difficulties, health literacy assessment, teach-back, motivational interviewing, patient understanding
MeSH terms
Communication, Health Personnel, Humans, Surveys and Questionnaires, Referral and Consultation, Health Literacy

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