Patient Health Literacy and Quality Care

Most Americans will be admitted to hospitals and Emergency Departments during their lifetimes. Specifically:

Over 90% will be admitted to a hospital at least once in their lifetime. The estimated cumulative admission rate for people over 50 is 80-90%, meaning that less than 10% of those who die after 50 will do so without having been admitted to a hospital.

Over 70% of Americans visit an Emergency Department (ED) at least once in any given 10-year period, and usage increases with age. The estimated percentage of those who survive past the age of 50 and who have never visited an ED is 15%.

At the same time, research shows that only 12% of Americans are health literate—meaning they can navigate the healthcare system, understand health information, make informed choices, and engage in preventive care. That number drops to about 6% when it includes an understanding of how payment models like fee-for-service, capitation, and direct pay impact care quality, costs, and access to care.

Let that sink in!

Nearly everyone in the US has or will receive hospital and emergency care, yet only a small minority understand the healthcare system and the factors that shape and influence their quality of care.

Patients struggle with health literacy because the healthcare system is complicated and confusing.

Now, consider, as I pointed out in my last post, that for most healthcare providers, insurers are their primary customers while patients are in distant second place as end-users of their services. Most providers can frame patients this way because they face limited competition and can count on a captured population with limited choices when they suffer severe injuries and illness.

What about clinician-patient relationships? The special connection between patients, doctors, and nurses is undisputed. Unfortunately, it has been under pressure and constrained by provider business models and insurance strategies that are often misaligned with clinician values and culture. This is a key contributor to clinician burnout.

What can patients do to protect themselves and their families? Become health literate by learning the factors that affect their care options and quality. Then take practical steps to protect themselves and their families. That is what we teach in patient classes based on our deep understanding of the system, its capabilities, and failures delivering compelling patient value.

Reach out if you are interested and have questions: ozzie@oprhealth.com.