This link is targeted to health care providers, as they create information for patients.
This webpage highlights another question I have about healthcare information on social media. Do people understand the information they are reading? Have they accessed a site intended for other health care professionals, rather than consumers, in their search for practical information to better manage their own health? Have you ever searched a health question online and found the information to be too dense to absorb? I have. I usually click away from that page, looking for more graspable information. According to the AHRQ powerpoint on literacy strategies (see below), it is important to gauge understanding after sharing important health teaching. They recommend “teach back”: having the patient “teach” the teacher, in their own words and understanding. This method demonstrates their grasp of the information and of their responsibility, now, with that health information. This is not an option with health information accessed online. However, social media venues often have multiple users willing to share their take on health information, adding to understanding. Thoughts?







