Title: Health Literacy- The Role of OT in a Client’s Right to Understand 

Learner Objectives:

1.  Understand the scope of the problem and the role of occupational therapy in facilitating medical self-management through addressing health literacy needs.

2. Recognize potential barriers and opportunities to patients and clinicians.

3. Name and apply at least three evidence based methods for health literacy evaluation and/or intervention to incorporate in clinical practice.  

Application or Relevance to Occupational Therapy Practice: Occupational therapists have a valuable perspective on the relationship between person, occupation and environment.  This relationship is key in the selection of, and participation in health promoting behaviors. Additionally, independence and participation in health promoting occupation can be hindered or facilitated by health literacy.  Low health literacy can lead to higher utilization of treatment services and lower utilization of preventative services. Occupational therapists can empower clients in every setting to make informed health choices and facilitate increased independence in medical self-management.