Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Teach-back Toolkit

It?s estimated that patients remember and understand about half of the information they receive from health care professionals. Research also shows that when patients don?t read well or understand health information, they have more complications and unnecessary hospitalizations and are more susceptible to medication errors and medical mistakes, all of which lead to higher costs. With many years? experience working to improve health literacy, the Iowa Health System, based in Des Moines, has developed an ?Always Use Teach-back? toolkit to ?ensure reliable use of teach-back for all key health education and communication, especially during care transitions.? Using teach-back, providers ask patients to explain in their own words what they will do after a health care visit. The method encourages plain language dialogue between provider and patient and confirms understanding of treatment, and medication and discharge instructions. The toolkit provides an interactive learning module and coaching tips, as well as tools to enhance learning, build confidence and assess progress. For more information, contact Suzanne Rita, R.N., improvement learning network manager, at ritasa@ihs.org or Mary Ann Abrams, M.D., health literacy medical advisor, at abramsma@ihs.org.