Abstract
Introduction/Context: Health Literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” An estimated 80 million Americans are estimated to have low levels of health literacy. Low health literacy has been linked to poor patient outcomes and decreased usage of health services. Athletic trainers are multiskilled medical professionals recognized by the American Medical Association, trained in, among other things, wellness promotion and education, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and primary care. Although athletic trainers have traditionally been employed in collegiate/elite sports, many are now employed in a number of different settings, including physical therapy and orthopedic clinics, working as physician extenders. This critically appraised topic aimed to examine the impact of athletic trainers in the physician practice setting on patient health literacy levels. Search Strategy: The databases searched included PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: The results from the search demonstrate three widely accepted interventions to improve the health literacy of patients: plain speak, teach-back, and limited concepts. Clinical Bottom Line: Athletic trainers working in the physician practice setting have a unique opportunity to improve patient understanding to help them achieve improved healthcare outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Bouchard, T
(2024)
"How do athletic trainers impact patient health literacy?: A Critically Appraised Topic,"
Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 12.
Available at:
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/clinat/vol7/iss1/12