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PLAIN TALK ABOUT
ASTHMA
Innovative Materials for Clinical and Classroom Use A Glossary of Terms -- Asthma: in Plain Language Chronic disease patients are expected to take an active role in their care. They are involved in decisions and in treatment activities. People with a chronic disease are expected to understand the nature of a chronic illness [chronicity]. Care takers often assume that people understand and can follow complicated care instructions. People with a chronic disease must, often on a daily basis, measure and monitor some aspect of their functioning. They make decisions regarding medicine dosages and the need for emergency treatment. Furthermore, because those managing a chronic disease are frequent visitors to medical care institutions, they are expected to engage in dialogue with health care professionals, offer descriptions of their symptoms and experiences, find their way through the hallways of health care institutions, and manage the forms and documents that institutions require. All of these activities assume strong literacy and numeracy skills. Thus, functional literacy the ability to use the written word for everyday tasks, is a key component of chronic disease management. However, as we know from the National Adult Literacy Survey, about half of U.S. adults have limited functional literacy skills. Asthma: In Plain Language was developed as part of a community asthma education program to serve as a tool to improve communication and comprehension. This booklet is a glossary of terms commonly used in medical discussions and commonly found in patient education materials about asthma. The glossary was rigorously piloted. Focus groups with patients and practitioners, individual interviews, and assessments by adult educators and adult learners helped shape the development and re-design of this innovative material. The material is designed to help patients better understand medical terms. At the same time, the material can help practitioners use plain language more often.
The Community Asthma Program Team Rima Rudd, Lawren Daltroy, Jackie Louis Rodriguez,
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