Research Guides: Health Literacy: For Patients

Finding Consumer Health Information

MedlinePlus
A great website for consumers to find reliable health information.
MedlinePlus: Easy to Read
Consumer health information written in easy-to-read language.
National Center for Farmworker Health
The site provides health resources written in easy-to-read language in both English and Spanish. There are also some videos available. These handouts on these resources use few words and include many images to convey health messages.
National Institutes of Health: Clear Health from NIH
Provides clear and plain language information on a variety of health topics.
Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital
An easy-to-read guide for patients just discharged from the hospital. The guide provides a way for patients to track their medication schedules, upcoming medical appointments, and important phone numbers.
A User's Guide to Finding and Evaluating Health Information on the Web
Use this tutorial to learn how to find reliable online health information.

Medical Library Association: What Did My Doctor Say?
The special words doctors and nurses use can be hard to understand. You may see or hear these words at your doctor’s office, on the Internet, on the radio or TV, or in newspapers or magazines. We call these words “medspeak.” This resource helps you understand medspeak.
Understanding Medical Terms
A list from the Merck Manual of Medical Information containing a number of common medical prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
Understanding Medical Words: A Tutorial from the National Library of Medicine
The tutorial teaches root words, how to break words apart, and abbreviations. Also contains interactive quizzes.

Check-back
Using check-back will help you check your understanding before leaving an appointment. This website will help you build your skills and confidence to ask questions at health appointments.
National Institute on Aging: Discussing Your Concerns with the Doctor: Worksheet
Provides a form that you can use to plan questions to ask your doctor at your next visit.
National Institutes of Health Talking to Your Doctor
Provides tips you can use when talking with your doctor.
NeedyMeds: Be Med Wise
Information for patients explaining the safe use, storage, and disposal of medicines for better health
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Patients can use the site to assist them in preparing important questions to ask when they visit their doctor.
Speak Up: Understanding Your Doctors and Other Caregivers
A brochure to help patients understand what they are being told by their doctors and caregivers.
University of Minnesota: How Can I Communicate Effectively?
Great information about you to talk with your doctor and prepare for a visit to the doctor.

FDA for Consumers
Advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for consumers about medication safety.
Your Medicine: Play it Safe
A guide for consumers outlining ways to take medicines safely.

Here are 10 questions you should ask about your medications:

1.What is the name of the medication and what is it supposed to do?

2. When and how do I take it?

3. How long do I take this medicine?

4. Does this medicine contain anything that can cause an allergic reaction?

5. Should I avoid alcohol, other medicines, foods and/or activities?

6. Should I expect any side effects?

7. What if I forget to take my medicine?

8. Is it safe to become pregnant or to breast-feed while taking this medicine?

9. Is there a generic version of this medicine that can be prescribed?

10.How should I store this medicine?