LibGuides: Patient information sites: Patient information sites

Literacy and Numeracy

NALA - National Adult Literacy Agency
"What do we mean by literacy?
In the past literacy was considered to be the ability to read and write. Today the meaning of literacy has changed to reflect changes in society and the skills needed by individuals to participate fully in society. It involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology like smartphones and google to communicate and handle information."
Health Literacy Scotland - Action Plan
"Our second plan, Making it Easier, builds on what we’ve learned so far. It moves us closer to removing barriers and preventing them being put there in the first place. It will improve how we design and deliver services for the future. It is a cornerstone of Realistic Medicine’s drive to better support people’s needs through shared decision-making."
Realistic Medicine
"Realistic Medicine is an approach to healthcare that aims to put the patient at the centre of decisions made about their care. Shared decision making and a personalised approach to care are key elements of practising Realistic Medicine. It also aims to reduce harm, waste and unwarranted variation, whilst acknowledging and managing the inherent risks associated with all healthcare, and championing innovation and improvement."

Patient guides

Health AtoZ NHS
Patient information/Health literacy.
A comprehensive A to Z listing of conditions from the NHS in the UK, which will help patients make informed decisions about their health care and lifestyle.
UpToDate Patient Education
SVHG has an UpToDate subscription so these leaflets - "Basics" and "Beyond the Basics" - are available to SVHG staff and students.

Other sources of patient information

BMJ Best Practice - Patient leaflets
"Patient leaflets provide concise easy to read summaries to reassure patients and carers and help them make informed, shared decisions with healthcare professionals."
MedlinePlus
Patient Information/Health Literacy. The guidance on this site has been selected by the National Library of Medicine in America. Some of the information will have an American slant but the guidance contained suits different reading abilities and is often in a range of formats - print, video etc.

National Institute for Health Research - plain language summaries

"Every year, thousands of research articles are published in specialist academic journals. These contain vital information about the latest health and care research findings. Open Access policies mean that more and more people can now access those scientific research articles for free. But they’re often lengthy and full of technical language making them difficult to understand.

At NIHR Evidence we aim to bridge that gap and make the findings of the research we fund and support more accessible and understandable. This will help ensure important NIHR research findings can be used by everyone – whether you’re a member of the public, a health or care professional, commissioner or policy maker."

Contact details

SVUH Library: libraryerc@svuh.ie. Librarians: Niamh Lucey, Gerry McManus, John Moylan

SMH Library: library@stmichaels.ie. Librarian: Noreen McHugh