When we redefine health literacy as clear health communication it allows for accountability to be shared with all parties involved instead of placing the onus and understanding solely on the patient. Derek McCracken challenges us to view the ability to express ourselves easily and articulately as more than just a state of literacy, but instead as a process. Listen as he shares how narrative medicine is built on the pillars of attention, representation, and affiliation to equip health care providers with the tools to give and receive stories, listen actively and write reflectively which creates a safe space for patients. Derek explains how the tools he received through his narrative medicine training help him connect with patients and empower them to have the agency and creativity to communicate their experiences along their health care journey. ...

When we say health literacy what do we really mean? Our choice of language and the titles we attribute to people is multilayered.  Lisa Stewart dissects ways we can approach communication with a spirit of respect and compassion which allows us to understand each other better and mitigate bias. This helps us realize that literacy is a responsibility of all parties involved. We can discover more specific terms that adequately explain what we mean such as structural or social determinants of health literacy. Listen as Lisa illustrates the type of health care environment that she envisions that would encourage patients to feel supported when asking questions, provide hands on opportunities to learn about how the body works and allows providers the resources and time to connect with patients. ...

Your primary care physician can sometimes be the provider that you interact with the most, so it would be ideal for that relationship to be a trusted, consistent, safe space for you. Dr. Carl Earl Lambert Jr. pursued family medicine so he could build lasting relationships with his patients, earn their trust and help them take ownership of their health care journey. Listen as he shares with us the "check in and check in often" method, the art of inquiry and other approaches he takes to ensure that effective communication is a two-way street between him, his patients and the full health care team. Through using shared decision making, he gets to co-create a plan with his patients that focuses on their goals and concerns. Dr. Lambert exemplifies how to center primary care with  humility, respect and compassion to build strong relationships that leads to great outcomes. ...

Human connection is essential to building relationships and communicating effectively. Sometimes we overlook the power of these elements when thinking about the relationship between providers and their patients. Beverly Rogers is an 80 year old breast cancer survivor, advocate, caregiver and entrepreneur who uses her experiences and expertise to help empower other patients. She shares tangible examples of successful communication methods she and her provider use. Listen as Beverly highlights some of the common misconceptions about senior citizens and tips on how to make sure respect and trust is interwoven into your relationship with your provider. ...

In this episode, Christine Wilson, vice president of advocacy communications and marketing for the National Patient Advocate Foundation, describes how we can redefine and reframe health literacy and the actions we can take to help facilitate equitable health care for patients, families and communities. She shares examples of how when communication is a two way street between patients and providers it can lead to successful outcomes. Listen as Christine explores the communications barriers and the implicit and explicit bias many patients face, particularly BIPOC patients, in accessing and navigating the health care delivery system.  ...

Patients sometimes have to make difficult decisions when pursuing the quality and affordable health care they deserve. When financial navigators and the full care team work together to find solutions for patients it results in better outcomes. Through Zinkeng Asonganyi's career he has worked closely in oncology and pharmacy administration which has allowed him to have a deep understanding of the intricacies of financial and social needs. Listen as he shares about the importance of financial navigation and how it bridges the gap between the health system and the patient. ...