In: Nursing
how might communications differ to reach health disparities within a specific culture or ethnic population, what strategies might be used to reach individuals with low literacy? How might body language indicate understanding or lack understanding?
A two-step approach-first identifying population subgroups experiencing excess burden of poor health,then seeking to identify and better understand that which is shared by members of the group and may influence health- has been suggested as a practical approach to addressing culture in health communication and health promotion programs.Here,a process of partitioning large and heterogenous populations into smaller,more heterogenous subgroups can be used which is known as audience segmentation.The strategies for audience segmentation can be quite detailed,defining population subgroups by a mix of demographic,behavioural ,psychosocial, geographic and risk-factor charecteristics,.Culture can also be an important audience segmentation variable.A comprehensive communication approach that is targeted to the segment can be developed when an audience segment has been defined and a descriptive profile of that segment created.
To communicate with people who have low health literacy
Use simple language,talk slowly and prioritise information.Prioritisation is important since research shows that persons with lower levels of health literacy are focussing longer on non relavant information in texts.
Use teach-back method:this strategy encourages questions,to summarise what the patient is answering and to ask if the summary is all right.
Depending on a person's needs,apply multiple channels of communication and use innovative media like photonovels,films,graphs,drawings.They can reduce comprehension problems .
Non verbal communication is a vital part of understanding and communication.Body language like facial expressions , nodding of head and posture reflects the level of understanding.