Knowledge Is Power: Understanding Your Health Before a Crisis Happens

Why Health Literacy, Patient Advocacy, and Informed Decisions Can Save Lives

Why Health Literacy Matters

Healthcare is built on an extraordinary foundation of scientific discovery, technological advancement, and clinical expertise. Yet even the most sophisticated medical care can fall short when the person receiving it does not fully understand their diagnosis, treatment, or next steps.

Imagine a patient leaving the hospital after several days of treatment. The medical team has successfully addressed the immediate problem, prescribed the necessary medications, and provided detailed discharge instructions. From a clinical standpoint, the patient is ready to go home.

But as the patient sits at the kitchen table reviewing several pages of medical information, uncertainty begins to emerge. Which medication replaces the old prescription? What symptoms should prompt concern? When should the next appointment occur? And what happens if the treatment does not work as expected?

These are not insignificant questions. They can determine whether recovery proceeds safely or whether confusion leads to avoidable complications.

October is Health Literacy Month, an opportunity to recognize that meaningful healthcare extends beyond diagnosis and treatment. It requires communication, understanding, trust, and the ability to make informed decisions.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we believe health education is fundamental to individual empowerment and stronger communities. When people understand their health, they are better equipped to participate in their care, recognize potential problems, and advocate for themselves and those they love.

Doctor in a white coat shows a tablet to a patient in a bright clinic, discussing information together.
Two hands gently exchanging a pink rose petal against a gray background, conveying care and connection.
Two businesspeople in suits shake hands in a bright office setting with a sunlit background.
Older man sits at a kitchen table using a laptop, resting his head on his hand as he looks at the screen.
Silhouetted family of three at sunset, two adults and a child, holding hands overhead as the sun sets behind them.
Counselor sits with a distressed client on a sofa, offering support while taking notes.

Understanding Health Literacy: More Than Medical Knowledge

Health literacy is often misunderstood as simply knowing medical terminology or possessing a certain level of education. In reality, it encompasses the ability to locate, understand, evaluate, and use health information and services to make appropriate decisions.

Even highly educated individuals can struggle to navigate an unfamiliar diagnosis, complex medication regimen, or complicated insurance process. Fear, pain, emotional distress, language differences, and the overwhelming nature of medical information can make comprehension difficult, particularly during illness.

Health literacy also involves the responsibilities of healthcare institutions. Hospitals, clinics, insurers, and healthcare professionals must communicate in ways that patients can reasonably understand and act upon.

Consider the difference between instructing a patient to “take this medication twice daily for hypertension” and explaining, “Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening to help control your blood pressure.”

Both convey the same medical direction, but the second makes the information more accessible.

Effective communication should never require patients to decipher unfamiliar language before they can care for themselves.

When Misunderstanding Becomes a Patient Safety Issue

The consequences of inadequate health communication can extend far beyond frustration or inconvenience. Misunderstood instructions may contribute to medication errors, missed follow-up appointments, inappropriate treatment decisions, or delays in recognizing serious symptoms.

Medication management is particularly important. Many patients take several prescriptions, sometimes provided by different specialists. A medication may be discontinued during hospitalization, its dosage adjusted, or a new prescription substituted for an older one.

Unless those changes are clearly explained, patients may unknowingly continue medications they were supposed to stop.

For this reason, patients and caregivers should maintain an updated medication list that includes prescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements. During medical visits, they should understand why each medication is prescribed, how it should be taken, what side effects deserve attention, and whether it interacts with other treatments.

Healthcare professionals, in turn, should carefully reconcile medication lists during transitions of care, especially when patients move between hospitals, specialists, rehabilitation facilities, and home.

The goal is not merely to provide accurate instructions. It is to ensure that patients can safely follow them.

The Power of Asking Questions

Many patients hesitate to ask questions during medical appointments. Some worry about appearing uninformed, while others feel intimidated by clinical terminology or believe their healthcare professional is too busy to provide additional explanations.

Unfortunately, silence can create the appearance of understanding where uncertainty actually exists.

Patients should feel comfortable asking three fundamental questions during healthcare encounters:

  1. What is my main health problem?
  2. What do I need to do about it?
  3. Why is it important that I do this?

These questions reflect the principles of the Ask Me 3 patient education approach and can help patients focus on the information most essential to their care.

An equally valuable communication strategy is the teach-back method, in which healthcare professionals invite patients to explain important instructions in their own words.

Rather than simply asking whether someone understands, a clinician might say:

“I want to make sure I explained this clearly. Could you tell me how you will take your medications when you get home?”

This approach is not intended to test the patient’s intelligence or memory. It allows the healthcare professional to recognize gaps in communication and provide clarification before those gaps become problems.

Patients should never feel embarrassed about requesting simpler explanations, written instructions, an interpreter, or additional time to understand a treatment plan.

Asking questions is not a sign of weakness. It is an important part of protecting your health.

A Story of Preventable Confusion

Consider Mrs. Williams, a fictional composite representing challenges commonly encountered in healthcare.

At 67, Mrs. Williams was discharged from the hospital following treatment for a medical condition. During her hospitalization, one of her longstanding medications had been replaced with a different prescription.

Her discharge paperwork documented the change, but she did not fully understand that the new medication was intended to replace the previous one.

Once home, she resumed her familiar medication routine while also taking the new prescription. Within several days, she developed dizziness and weakness, prompting another visit to the emergency department.

Mrs. Williams had not deliberately ignored medical advice. She believed she was following her instructions correctly. The problem arose from a breakdown in understanding during a critical transition of care.

Her experience illustrates why effective healthcare communication must be a shared responsibility. Patients should be encouraged to ask questions, while healthcare professionals must recognize that providing information does not necessarily mean that information has been understood.

Navigating an Increasingly Complex Healthcare System

Health literacy also involves knowing how to access appropriate medical services.

For many individuals, the healthcare system can be confusing even before a medical appointment begins. Understanding insurance coverage, selecting a primary care provider, obtaining specialist referrals, scheduling diagnostic testing, and managing prescription costs may require considerable effort.

Primary care plays an important role in prevention, chronic disease management, routine screening, and coordination of services. Urgent care centers can address certain conditions requiring prompt attention, while emergency departments are equipped to evaluate potentially serious or life-threatening illness and injury.

Recognizing warning signs is especially important. Severe chest pain, symptoms suggesting a stroke, major breathing difficulties, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden loss of consciousness require immediate emergency attention.

Call 911 when appropriate for a potentially life-threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency care while attempting to navigate insurance requirements or schedule an appointment.

Improving health literacy means helping individuals understand not only their medical conditions, but also how to obtain timely and appropriate care.

Medical Misinformation in the Digital Age

The internet has transformed access to medical information. Patients can now research symptoms, medications, procedures, and treatment options within seconds. This access can support informed decision-making, but it also introduces significant challenges.

Social media platforms frequently circulate medical claims without adequate scientific support. Unproven treatments may be promoted as cures, legitimate therapies may be misrepresented, and personal testimonials may be presented as substitutes for clinical evidence.

Artificial intelligence and other digital tools have further expanded access to health information, but their responses can also be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate.

Developing health literacy therefore requires the ability to evaluate information critically. Patients should consider:

  • Source credibility: Is the information published by a recognized medical or public health organization?
  • Scientific evidence: Are the claims supported by reliable research rather than anecdotes alone?
  • Timeliness: Is the information current?
  • Potential bias: Could commercial interests influence the claims being made?
  • Personal relevance: Does the information apply to your specific medical circumstances?

Trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus, and established professional medical organizations can provide useful educational guidance.

However, general information should complement rather than replace individualized advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

The objective is not to discourage patients from researching their health. It is to help them distinguish reliable knowledge from potentially harmful misinformation.

Health Literacy Is a Matter of Health Equity

The challenges of understanding and navigating healthcare are not distributed equally.

Language barriers, limited access to qualified interpreters, hearing or vision impairments, financial hardship, low digital access, and complex insurance requirements can create substantial obstacles. Patients managing chronic illnesses may also face transportation difficulties, inflexible work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or limited access to consistent primary care.

These barriers can become particularly consequential among older adults, individuals with disabilities, immigrant communities, and populations historically underserved by healthcare systems.

Health equity requires recognizing that simply making medical services available does not guarantee that everyone can use those services effectively.

Healthcare organizations must make meaningful investments in plain-language communication, culturally responsive education, accessible materials, interpreter services, and patient navigation support. Community organizations can also play an important role by providing trusted health education and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we view health literacy as part of a broader commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to participate fully in decisions affecting their well-being.

The Gatsby Patient Empowerment Checklist

Becoming an informed patient does not require a medical degree. It begins with a few practical habits that can make healthcare encounters more productive and safer.

Before Your Next Medical Appointment

  • Prepare: Write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions.
  • Organize: Bring an updated list of medications, allergies, and relevant medical history.
  • Clarify: Ask your healthcare professional to explain unfamiliar diagnoses, tests, and treatment recommendations.
  • Confirm: Make sure you understand medication changes, follow-up instructions, and warning signs.
  • Participate: Discuss treatment options, potential risks, and how decisions align with your needs and preferences.
  • Seek support: Bring a trusted family member or request interpretation or accessibility assistance when needed.
  • Follow through: Keep recommended appointments and communicate when barriers make the treatment plan difficult to follow.

These habits can strengthen communication and help patients become more confident partners in their care.

Understanding Health Literacy: More Than Medical Knowledge

Health literacy is often misunderstood as simply knowing medical terminology or possessing a certain level of education. In reality, it encompasses the ability to locate, understand, evaluate, and use health information and services to make appropriate decisions.

Even highly educated individuals can struggle to navigate an unfamiliar diagnosis, complex medication regimen, or complicated insurance process. Fear, pain, emotional distress, language differences, and the overwhelming nature of medical information can make comprehension difficult, particularly during illness.

Health literacy also involves the responsibilities of healthcare institutions. Hospitals, clinics, insurers, and healthcare professionals must communicate in ways that patients can reasonably understand and act upon.

Consider the difference between instructing a patient to “take this medication twice daily for hypertension” and explaining, “Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening to help control your blood pressure.”

Both convey the same medical direction, but the second makes the information more accessible.

Effective communication should never require patients to decipher unfamiliar language before they can care for themselves.

When Misunderstanding Becomes a Patient Safety Issue

The consequences of inadequate health communication can extend far beyond frustration or inconvenience. Misunderstood instructions may contribute to medication errors, missed follow-up appointments, inappropriate treatment decisions, or delays in recognizing serious symptoms.

Medication management is particularly important. Many patients take several prescriptions, sometimes provided by different specialists. A medication may be discontinued during hospitalization, its dosage adjusted, or a new prescription substituted for an older one.

Unless those changes are clearly explained, patients may unknowingly continue medications they were supposed to stop.

For this reason, patients and caregivers should maintain an updated medication list that includes prescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements. During medical visits, they should understand why each medication is prescribed, how it should be taken, what side effects deserve attention, and whether it interacts with other treatments.

Healthcare professionals, in turn, should carefully reconcile medication lists during transitions of care, especially when patients move between hospitals, specialists, rehabilitation facilities, and home.

The goal is not merely to provide accurate instructions. It is to ensure that patients can safely follow them.

The Power of Asking Questions

Many patients hesitate to ask questions during medical appointments. Some worry about appearing uninformed, while others feel intimidated by clinical terminology or believe their healthcare professional is too busy to provide additional explanations.

Unfortunately, silence can create the appearance of understanding where uncertainty actually exists.

Patients should feel comfortable asking three fundamental questions during healthcare encounters:

  1. What is my main health problem?
  2. What do I need to do about it?
  3. Why is it important that I do this?

These questions reflect the principles of the Ask Me 3 patient education approach and can help patients focus on the information most essential to their care.

An equally valuable communication strategy is the teach-back method, in which healthcare professionals invite patients to explain important instructions in their own words.

Rather than simply asking whether someone understands, a clinician might say:

“I want to make sure I explained this clearly. Could you tell me how you will take your medications when you get home?”

This approach is not intended to test the patient’s intelligence or memory. It allows the healthcare professional to recognize gaps in communication and provide clarification before those gaps become problems.

Patients should never feel embarrassed about requesting simpler explanations, written instructions, an interpreter, or additional time to understand a treatment plan.

Asking questions is not a sign of weakness. It is an important part of protecting your health.

Joyful elderly couple outdoors sharing a laugh, with a man in a light shirt and a woman in a yellow sweater against a sunny blue sky.

A Story of Preventable Confusion

Consider Mrs. Williams, a fictional composite representing challenges commonly encountered in healthcare.

At 67, Mrs. Williams was discharged from the hospital following treatment for a medical condition. During her hospitalization, one of her longstanding medications had been replaced with a different prescription.

Her discharge paperwork documented the change, but she did not fully understand that the new medication was intended to replace the previous one.

Once home, she resumed her familiar medication routine while also taking the new prescription. Within several days, she developed dizziness and weakness, prompting another visit to the emergency department.

Mrs. Williams had not deliberately ignored medical advice. She believed she was following her instructions correctly. The problem arose from a breakdown in understanding during a critical transition of care.

Her experience illustrates why effective healthcare communication must be a shared responsibility. Patients should be encouraged to ask questions, while healthcare professionals must recognize that providing information does not necessarily mean that information has been understood.

Navigating an Increasingly Complex Healthcare System

Health literacy also involves knowing how to access appropriate medical services.

For many individuals, the healthcare system can be confusing even before a medical appointment begins. Understanding insurance coverage, selecting a primary care provider, obtaining specialist referrals, scheduling diagnostic testing, and managing prescription costs may require considerable effort.

Primary care plays an important role in prevention, chronic disease management, routine screening, and coordination of services. Urgent care centers can address certain conditions requiring prompt attention, while emergency departments are equipped to evaluate potentially serious or life-threatening illness and injury.

Recognizing warning signs is especially important. Severe chest pain, symptoms suggesting a stroke, major breathing difficulties, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden loss of consciousness require immediate emergency attention.

Call 911 when appropriate for a potentially life-threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency care while attempting to navigate insurance requirements or schedule an appointment.

Improving health literacy means helping individuals understand not only their medical conditions, but also how to obtain timely and appropriate care.

Medical Misinformation in the Digital Age

The internet has transformed access to medical information. Patients can now research symptoms, medications, procedures, and treatment options within seconds. This access can support informed decision-making, but it also introduces significant challenges.

Social media platforms frequently circulate medical claims without adequate scientific support. Unproven treatments may be promoted as cures, legitimate therapies may be misrepresented, and personal testimonials may be presented as substitutes for clinical evidence.

Artificial intelligence and other digital tools have further expanded access to health information, but their responses can also be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate.

Developing health literacy therefore requires the ability to evaluate information critically. Patients should consider:

  • Source credibility: Is the information published by a recognized medical or public health organization?
  • Scientific evidence: Are the claims supported by reliable research rather than anecdotes alone?
  • Timeliness: Is the information current?
  • Potential bias: Could commercial interests influence the claims being made?
  • Personal relevance: Does the information apply to your specific medical circumstances?

Trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus, and established professional medical organizations can provide useful educational guidance.

However, general information should complement rather than replace individualized advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

The objective is not to discourage patients from researching their health. It is to help them distinguish reliable knowledge from potentially harmful misinformation.

Health Literacy Is a Matter of Health Equity

The challenges of understanding and navigating healthcare are not distributed equally.

Language barriers, limited access to qualified interpreters, hearing or vision impairments, financial hardship, low digital access, and complex insurance requirements can create substantial obstacles. Patients managing chronic illnesses may also face transportation difficulties, inflexible work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or limited access to consistent primary care.

These barriers can become particularly consequential among older adults, individuals with disabilities, immigrant communities, and populations historically underserved by healthcare systems.

Health equity requires recognizing that simply making medical services available does not guarantee that everyone can use those services effectively.

Healthcare organizations must make meaningful investments in plain-language communication, culturally responsive education, accessible materials, interpreter services, and patient navigation support. Community organizations can also play an important role by providing trusted health education and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we view health literacy as part of a broader commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to participate fully in decisions affecting their well-being.

The Gatsby Patient Empowerment Checklist

Becoming an informed patient does not require a medical degree. It begins with a few practical habits that can make healthcare encounters more productive and safer.

Before Your Next Medical Appointment

  • Prepare: Write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions.
  • Organize: Bring an updated list of medications, allergies, and relevant medical history.
  • Clarify: Ask your healthcare professional to explain unfamiliar diagnoses, tests, and treatment recommendations.
  • Confirm: Make sure you understand medication changes, follow-up instructions, and warning signs.
  • Participate: Discuss treatment options, potential risks, and how decisions align with your needs and preferences.
  • Seek support: Bring a trusted family member or request interpretation or accessibility assistance when needed.
  • Follow through: Keep recommended appointments and communicate when barriers make the treatment plan difficult to follow.

These habits can strengthen communication and help patients become more confident partners in their care.

Helpful Health Literacy Resources

Reliable educational and healthcare-navigation resources are available nationally and throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

National Resources

MedlinePlus

Provides accessible information about medical conditions, medications, diagnostic tests, and treatment options.

Website: https://medlineplus.gov/

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Offers resources on patient safety, healthcare communication, and quality improvement.

Website: https://www.ahrq.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Provides public health guidance, disease prevention information, and educational materials.

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/

DMV-Area Resources

Maryland Health Connection

Provides health insurance coverage information and enrollment assistance for Maryland residents.

Website: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/

DC Health Link

Offers health insurance coverage and consumer resources for District of Columbia residents.

Website: https://dchealthlink.com/

Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace

Provides health coverage information and enrollment assistance for eligible Virginia residents.

Website: https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/

Local health departments, community health centers, and hospital patient advocates may also provide assistance with accessing care and understanding available services.

Final Thoughts: Empowerment Begins With Understanding

The relationship between patients and healthcare professionals should be built on partnership, trust, and mutual respect. Medical expertise is essential, but so is the patient’s understanding of their own condition, preferences, and responsibilities in the treatment process.

Patients deserve explanations they can understand, opportunities to ask questions, and the confidence to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health. Healthcare professionals and institutions have an equally important obligation to create environments where that participation is encouraged and supported.

During Health Literacy Month, we invite individuals and families to take a more active role in their healthcare. Ask questions when instructions are unclear, review medications carefully, seek credible information, and encourage loved ones—particularly those who may struggle to navigate the healthcare system—to do the same.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, our mission extends beyond sharing health information. We seek to empower individuals with the understanding and confidence to make informed decisions, protect their well-being, and build healthier futures for themselves and their communities.

Knowledge gives us confidence. Understanding gives us choices. And informed choices can save lives.

By Dr. Bertrand Fote, MD, MBA, FACEP, CF2
Emergency Medicine Physician | Health Equity Advocate
President, The Gatsby Showcase Foundation

Smiling Black woman writes on a whiteboard during a collaborative team planning session in a bright office.

A Story of Preventable Confusion

Consider Mrs. Williams, a fictional composite representing challenges commonly encountered in healthcare.

At 67, Mrs. Williams was discharged from the hospital following treatment for a medical condition. During her hospitalization, one of her longstanding medications had been replaced with a different prescription.

Her discharge paperwork documented the change, but she did not fully understand that the new medication was intended to replace the previous one.

Once home, she resumed her familiar medication routine while also taking the new prescription. Within several days, she developed dizziness and weakness, prompting another visit to the emergency department.

Mrs. Williams had not deliberately ignored medical advice. She believed she was following her instructions correctly. The problem arose from a breakdown in understanding during a critical transition of care.

Her experience illustrates why effective healthcare communication must be a shared responsibility. Patients should be encouraged to ask questions, while healthcare professionals must recognize that providing information does not necessarily mean that information has been understood.

Navigating an Increasingly Complex Healthcare System

Health literacy also involves knowing how to access appropriate medical services.

For many individuals, the healthcare system can be confusing even before a medical appointment begins. Understanding insurance coverage, selecting a primary care provider, obtaining specialist referrals, scheduling diagnostic testing, and managing prescription costs may require considerable effort.

Primary care plays an important role in prevention, chronic disease management, routine screening, and coordination of services. Urgent care centers can address certain conditions requiring prompt attention, while emergency departments are equipped to evaluate potentially serious or life-threatening illness and injury.

Recognizing warning signs is especially important. Severe chest pain, symptoms suggesting a stroke, major breathing difficulties, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden loss of consciousness require immediate emergency attention.

Call 911 when appropriate for a potentially life-threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency care while attempting to navigate insurance requirements or schedule an appointment.

Improving health literacy means helping individuals understand not only their medical conditions, but also how to obtain timely and appropriate care.

Medical Misinformation in the Digital Age

The internet has transformed access to medical information. Patients can now research symptoms, medications, procedures, and treatment options within seconds. This access can support informed decision-making, but it also introduces significant challenges.

Social media platforms frequently circulate medical claims without adequate scientific support. Unproven treatments may be promoted as cures, legitimate therapies may be misrepresented, and personal testimonials may be presented as substitutes for clinical evidence.

Artificial intelligence and other digital tools have further expanded access to health information, but their responses can also be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate.

Developing health literacy therefore requires the ability to evaluate information critically. Patients should consider:

  • Source credibility: Is the information published by a recognized medical or public health organization?
  • Scientific evidence: Are the claims supported by reliable research rather than anecdotes alone?
  • Timeliness: Is the information current?
  • Potential bias: Could commercial interests influence the claims being made?
  • Personal relevance: Does the information apply to your specific medical circumstances?

Trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus, and established professional medical organizations can provide useful educational guidance.

However, general information should complement rather than replace individualized advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

The objective is not to discourage patients from researching their health. It is to help them distinguish reliable knowledge from potentially harmful misinformation.

Health Literacy Is a Matter of Health Equity

The challenges of understanding and navigating healthcare are not distributed equally.

Language barriers, limited access to qualified interpreters, hearing or vision impairments, financial hardship, low digital access, and complex insurance requirements can create substantial obstacles. Patients managing chronic illnesses may also face transportation difficulties, inflexible work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or limited access to consistent primary care.

These barriers can become particularly consequential among older adults, individuals with disabilities, immigrant communities, and populations historically underserved by healthcare systems.

Health equity requires recognizing that simply making medical services available does not guarantee that everyone can use those services effectively.

Healthcare organizations must make meaningful investments in plain-language communication, culturally responsive education, accessible materials, interpreter services, and patient navigation support. Community organizations can also play an important role by providing trusted health education and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we view health literacy as part of a broader commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to participate fully in decisions affecting their well-being.

The Gatsby Patient Empowerment Checklist

Becoming an informed patient does not require a medical degree. It begins with a few practical habits that can make healthcare encounters more productive and safer.

Before Your Next Medical Appointment

  • Prepare: Write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions.
  • Organize: Bring an updated list of medications, allergies, and relevant medical history.
  • Clarify: Ask your healthcare professional to explain unfamiliar diagnoses, tests, and treatment recommendations.
  • Confirm: Make sure you understand medication changes, follow-up instructions, and warning signs.
  • Participate: Discuss treatment options, potential risks, and how decisions align with your needs and preferences.
  • Seek support: Bring a trusted family member or request interpretation or accessibility assistance when needed.
  • Follow through: Keep recommended appointments and communicate when barriers make the treatment plan difficult to follow.

These habits can strengthen communication and help patients become more confident partners in their care.

Woman sits on a sofa in a bright room, listening attentively to a therapist who holds a clipboard.
Joyful elderly couple outdoors sharing a laugh, with a man in a light shirt and a woman in a yellow sweater against a sunny blue sky.

Understanding Health Literacy: More Than Medical Knowledge

Health literacy is often misunderstood as simply knowing medical terminology or possessing a certain level of education. In reality, it encompasses the ability to locate, understand, evaluate, and use health information and services to make appropriate decisions.

Even highly educated individuals can struggle to navigate an unfamiliar diagnosis, complex medication regimen, or complicated insurance process. Fear, pain, emotional distress, language differences, and the overwhelming nature of medical information can make comprehension difficult, particularly during illness.

Health literacy also involves the responsibilities of healthcare institutions. Hospitals, clinics, insurers, and healthcare professionals must communicate in ways that patients can reasonably understand and act upon.

Consider the difference between instructing a patient to “take this medication twice daily for hypertension” and explaining, “Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening to help control your blood pressure.”

Both convey the same medical direction, but the second makes the information more accessible.

Effective communication should never require patients to decipher unfamiliar language before they can care for themselves.

When Misunderstanding Becomes a Patient Safety Issue

The consequences of inadequate health communication can extend far beyond frustration or inconvenience. Misunderstood instructions may contribute to medication errors, missed follow-up appointments, inappropriate treatment decisions, or delays in recognizing serious symptoms.

Medication management is particularly important. Many patients take several prescriptions, sometimes provided by different specialists. A medication may be discontinued during hospitalization, its dosage adjusted, or a new prescription substituted for an older one.

Unless those changes are clearly explained, patients may unknowingly continue medications they were supposed to stop.

For this reason, patients and caregivers should maintain an updated medication list that includes prescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements. During medical visits, they should understand why each medication is prescribed, how it should be taken, what side effects deserve attention, and whether it interacts with other treatments.

Healthcare professionals, in turn, should carefully reconcile medication lists during transitions of care, especially when patients move between hospitals, specialists, rehabilitation facilities, and home.

The goal is not merely to provide accurate instructions. It is to ensure that patients can safely follow them.

The Power of Asking Questions

Many patients hesitate to ask questions during medical appointments. Some worry about appearing uninformed, while others feel intimidated by clinical terminology or believe their healthcare professional is too busy to provide additional explanations.

Unfortunately, silence can create the appearance of understanding where uncertainty actually exists.

Patients should feel comfortable asking three fundamental questions during healthcare encounters:

  1. What is my main health problem?
  2. What do I need to do about it?
  3. Why is it important that I do this?

These questions reflect the principles of the Ask Me 3 patient education approach and can help patients focus on the information most essential to their care.

An equally valuable communication strategy is the teach-back method, in which healthcare professionals invite patients to explain important instructions in their own words.

Rather than simply asking whether someone understands, a clinician might say:

“I want to make sure I explained this clearly. Could you tell me how you will take your medications when you get home?”

This approach is not intended to test the patient’s intelligence or memory. It allows the healthcare professional to recognize gaps in communication and provide clarification before those gaps become problems.

Patients should never feel embarrassed about requesting simpler explanations, written instructions, an interpreter, or additional time to understand a treatment plan.

Asking questions is not a sign of weakness. It is an important part of protecting your health.

A Story of Preventable Confusion

Consider Mrs. Williams, a fictional composite representing challenges commonly encountered in healthcare.

At 67, Mrs. Williams was discharged from the hospital following treatment for a medical condition. During her hospitalization, one of her longstanding medications had been replaced with a different prescription.

Her discharge paperwork documented the change, but she did not fully understand that the new medication was intended to replace the previous one.

Once home, she resumed her familiar medication routine while also taking the new prescription. Within several days, she developed dizziness and weakness, prompting another visit to the emergency department.

Mrs. Williams had not deliberately ignored medical advice. She believed she was following her instructions correctly. The problem arose from a breakdown in understanding during a critical transition of care.

Her experience illustrates why effective healthcare communication must be a shared responsibility. Patients should be encouraged to ask questions, while healthcare professionals must recognize that providing information does not necessarily mean that information has been understood.

Navigating an Increasingly Complex Healthcare System

Health literacy also involves knowing how to access appropriate medical services.

For many individuals, the healthcare system can be confusing even before a medical appointment begins. Understanding insurance coverage, selecting a primary care provider, obtaining specialist referrals, scheduling diagnostic testing, and managing prescription costs may require considerable effort.

Primary care plays an important role in prevention, chronic disease management, routine screening, and coordination of services. Urgent care centers can address certain conditions requiring prompt attention, while emergency departments are equipped to evaluate potentially serious or life-threatening illness and injury.

Recognizing warning signs is especially important. Severe chest pain, symptoms suggesting a stroke, major breathing difficulties, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden loss of consciousness require immediate emergency attention.

Call 911 when appropriate for a potentially life-threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency care while attempting to navigate insurance requirements or schedule an appointment.

Improving health literacy means helping individuals understand not only their medical conditions, but also how to obtain timely and appropriate care.

Medical Misinformation in the Digital Age

The internet has transformed access to medical information. Patients can now research symptoms, medications, procedures, and treatment options within seconds. This access can support informed decision-making, but it also introduces significant challenges.

Social media platforms frequently circulate medical claims without adequate scientific support. Unproven treatments may be promoted as cures, legitimate therapies may be misrepresented, and personal testimonials may be presented as substitutes for clinical evidence.

Artificial intelligence and other digital tools have further expanded access to health information, but their responses can also be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate.

Developing health literacy therefore requires the ability to evaluate information critically. Patients should consider:

  • Source credibility: Is the information published by a recognized medical or public health organization?
  • Scientific evidence: Are the claims supported by reliable research rather than anecdotes alone?
  • Timeliness: Is the information current?
  • Potential bias: Could commercial interests influence the claims being made?
  • Personal relevance: Does the information apply to your specific medical circumstances?

Trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus, and established professional medical organizations can provide useful educational guidance.

However, general information should complement rather than replace individualized advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

The objective is not to discourage patients from researching their health. It is to help them distinguish reliable knowledge from potentially harmful misinformation.

Health Literacy Is a Matter of Health Equity

The challenges of understanding and navigating healthcare are not distributed equally.

Language barriers, limited access to qualified interpreters, hearing or vision impairments, financial hardship, low digital access, and complex insurance requirements can create substantial obstacles. Patients managing chronic illnesses may also face transportation difficulties, inflexible work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or limited access to consistent primary care.

These barriers can become particularly consequential among older adults, individuals with disabilities, immigrant communities, and populations historically underserved by healthcare systems.

Health equity requires recognizing that simply making medical services available does not guarantee that everyone can use those services effectively.

Healthcare organizations must make meaningful investments in plain-language communication, culturally responsive education, accessible materials, interpreter services, and patient navigation support. Community organizations can also play an important role by providing trusted health education and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we view health literacy as part of a broader commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to participate fully in decisions affecting their well-being.

The Gatsby Patient Empowerment Checklist

Becoming an informed patient does not require a medical degree. It begins with a few practical habits that can make healthcare encounters more productive and safer.

Before Your Next Medical Appointment

  • Prepare: Write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions.
  • Organize: Bring an updated list of medications, allergies, and relevant medical history.
  • Clarify: Ask your healthcare professional to explain unfamiliar diagnoses, tests, and treatment recommendations.
  • Confirm: Make sure you understand medication changes, follow-up instructions, and warning signs.
  • Participate: Discuss treatment options, potential risks, and how decisions align with your needs and preferences.
  • Seek support: Bring a trusted family member or request interpretation or accessibility assistance when needed.
  • Follow through: Keep recommended appointments and communicate when barriers make the treatment plan difficult to follow.

These habits can strengthen communication and help patients become more confident partners in their care.

Helpful Health Literacy Resources

Reliable educational and healthcare-navigation resources are available nationally and throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

National Resources

MedlinePlus

Provides accessible information about medical conditions, medications, diagnostic tests, and treatment options.

Website: https://medlineplus.gov/

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Offers resources on patient safety, healthcare communication, and quality improvement.

Website: https://www.ahrq.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Provides public health guidance, disease prevention information, and educational materials.

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/

DMV-Area Resources

Maryland Health Connection

Provides health insurance coverage information and enrollment assistance for Maryland residents.

Website: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/

DC Health Link

Offers health insurance coverage and consumer resources for District of Columbia residents.

Website: https://dchealthlink.com/

Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace

Provides health coverage information and enrollment assistance for eligible Virginia residents.

Website: https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/

Local health departments, community health centers, and hospital patient advocates may also provide assistance with accessing care and understanding available services.

Final Thoughts: Empowerment Begins With Understanding

The relationship between patients and healthcare professionals should be built on partnership, trust, and mutual respect. Medical expertise is essential, but so is the patient’s understanding of their own condition, preferences, and responsibilities in the treatment process.

Patients deserve explanations they can understand, opportunities to ask questions, and the confidence to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health. Healthcare professionals and institutions have an equally important obligation to create environments where that participation is encouraged and supported.

During Health Literacy Month, we invite individuals and families to take a more active role in their healthcare. Ask questions when instructions are unclear, review medications carefully, seek credible information, and encourage loved ones—particularly those who may struggle to navigate the healthcare system—to do the same.

At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, our mission extends beyond sharing health information. We seek to empower individuals with the understanding and confidence to make informed decisions, protect their well-being, and build healthier futures for themselves and their communities.

Knowledge gives us confidence. Understanding gives us choices. And informed choices can save lives.

By Dr. Bertrand Fote, MD, MBA, FACEP, CF2
Emergency Medicine Physician | Health Equity Advocate
President, The Gatsby Showcase Foundation

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