Improve Health Literacy Responsiveness; Improve Client Outcomes

Background; The developing model of health literacy places a greater emphasis on health care provider responsibility, organisational self- examination, and improving accessibility and equity within the health care environment. Physiotherapists are well placed to support people to understand and use health information; however, skill development in this area is considered a post-graduate competency.

Objective: This presentation will discuss the role that physiotherapists have in providing information to clients in a way that supports a biopsychosocial approach to practice. We have customised a series of workshops for allied health professionals to work with their clients to improve goal setting and client outcomes, based on the OPHELIA approach to health literacy.

Key Practice Points: Strategies for applying health literacy principles to practice, such as using inclusive language, development of written materials like handouts and using teach-back in consultation, can be easily implemented to support client understanding and decision making.