Health literacy in practice and research

Health literacy is commonly described 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 (Malloy-Weir, Charles, Gafni, Entwistle, 2016). Using health literacy sensitive approaches enhances patient engagement and informed decision making, and optimizes health outcomes (Coulter & Ellins, 2007). The World Health Organization provides a broader definition of health literacy: “entails people’s knowledge, motivation, and competences to access, understand, appraise and apply health information in order to make judgments and take decisions in everyday life concerning healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion to maintain or improve quality of life during the health course” (WHO, 2013). At its core, health literacy implies that a person has the abilities or tools needed to understand information and participate in their health care decisions. Oncology nurses can address patients’ literacy needs in clinical practice and research