Clear communication is vital to quality health care. The Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HSHSL) is committed to helping providers and researchers strengthen their skills and raise awareness of health literacy during Health Literacy Month in October.
The HSHSL’s Health Literacy Guide offers resources for both health care providers and patients. Explore tools to assess health literacy, write in plain language, explain numerical concepts, and locate reliable information in other languages.
This fall, the library will host two online workshops led by Mary Ann Williams, MSLS, research and education librarian. These interactive sessions focus on practical strategies for communicating clearly and effectively with patients.
Upcoming workshops
Enhancing Patient Outcomes through Clear Health Communication
Do your patients fully understand the information you share with them? Research shows that providers often overestimate patient comprehension. Low health literacy is linked to higher mortality, increased hospitalizations, and poor chronic disease management. This workshop introduces the basics of health literacy and clear communication, along with tools for creating easy-to-read materials.
- Oct. 16, 2025 | 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Online
- Nov. 4, 2025 | 9:30 to 11 a.m. | Online
Health Information Resources for Culturally Diverse Patients
Looking to improve communication with patients whose first language is not English? This session highlights patient education materials in multiple languages and examines how using these resources can strengthen compliance and outcomes.
- Nov. 6, 2025 | 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Online
- Nov. 11, 2025 | 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Online
📅 Register for a workshop today to sharpen your communication skills and make a lasting impact on patient care.