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What are some strategies for helping patients with low numeracy skills track their symptoms?

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Numeracy skills are the ability to understand and use numbers in everyday situations, such as reading labels, measuring doses, or comparing risks. Low numeracy skills can affect how patients manage their health conditions, especially if they need to track their symptoms over time. As a patient advocate, you can help them overcome this challenge by using some simple strategies. Here are some of them.

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Tanvi Shukla

Gold Medalist & Clinical Research Documentation Specialist | Content/Copy Medical Writer | Medical Editor
Alina Atamanova

Clinical psychologist

1 Use visual aids

Visual aids can help patients with low numeracy skills grasp numerical information more easily. For example, you can use charts, graphs, icons, or pictures to show how symptoms change over time, how different treatments affect outcomes, or how to follow a medication schedule. You can also use color codes, symbols, or scales to indicate the severity or frequency of symptoms. Make sure the visual aids are clear, simple, and relevant to the patient's situation.

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Tanvi Shukla

Gold Medalist & Clinical Research Documentation Specialist | Content/Copy Medical Writer | Medical Editor
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Patients with low numeracy skills may face challenges in tracking symptoms. To assist them effectively, healthcare providers can employ patient-centered communication, employing clear and straightforward language during interactions. Implementing teach-to-goal methods, where information is tailored to the patient's comprehension level, can enhance understanding and adherence to symptom tracking. Utilizing appealing visual design in materials and resources can improve overall communication and understanding for individuals with low numeracy skills.

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Sierra Thomas A.S, B.S

Healthcare Consultant | Advocate for Quality Long-term Care | Passionate about Patient-Centered Innovations | Aspiring Healthcare Attorney
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To assist patients with low numeracy skills in tracking symptoms, consider using visual aids like color-coded charts or pictograms, simplified scales (e.g., mild, moderate, severe), and structured diaries with checklists. Encourage verbal descriptions and regular check-ins for oral symptom reporting. Mobile apps with simple interfaces can be helpful, as can involving family or caregivers. Tailor tools to individual preferences and provide positive feedback to encourage continued practice.

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2 Simplify language

Language can also be a barrier for patients with low numeracy skills, especially if they encounter unfamiliar words, jargon, or abbreviations. You can help them understand numerical information better by using plain language, avoiding technical terms, and explaining acronyms. You can also use examples, analogies, or comparisons to illustrate concepts or numbers. For instance, you can say "one in four" instead of "25%" or "the size of a pea" instead of "5 millimeters".

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Maram Dalab, CPXP, IUHPE RHPP

IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner | Certified Patient Experience Professional | Communications Expert | Public Health Awareness Advocate | Change Management Enthusiast
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This is very important to deliver the messages effectively. Avoid using hard medical jargons, use layman words and explain actions with relevant examples (Size of your palm, etc.). Co-designing plays a key role in this element, it's important to bring on board patients' perspective while creating the content.

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3 Teach self-monitoring skills

Self-monitoring skills are the ability to observe, record, and evaluate one's own symptoms and health behaviors. Patients with low numeracy skills may need extra support and guidance to develop these skills. You can teach them how to use simple tools, such as diaries, calendars, or apps, to track their symptoms and document their progress. You can also help them set realistic and measurable goals, review their data regularly, and provide feedback and encouragement.

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Dmitrii Stirbu

Contract Manager at JPD UK Services
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The habit of writing everything in a diary may be a good solution, that will help to keep the brain worry-free and improve memory skills.

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4 Involve family or friends

Family or friends can play an important role in helping patients with low numeracy skills track their symptoms. They can provide emotional support, motivation, and reminders. They can also help with reading instructions, filling out forms, or interpreting results. You can involve them in the patient's care plan by asking for their input, sharing information, and teaching them how to assist the patient. You can also connect them with other resources or support groups.

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5 Refer to other professionals

Sometimes, patients with low numeracy skills may need more specialized or intensive help to track their symptoms. In that case, you can refer them to other professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, educators, or counselors. These professionals can offer more tailored advice, education, or coaching to the patient. They can also monitor their symptoms more closely, adjust their treatment plan, or address any underlying issues that may affect their numeracy skills.

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6 Follow up regularly

Finally, you can help patients with low numeracy skills track their symptoms by following up with them regularly. You can check on their progress, answer their questions, and address their concerns. You can also reinforce their learning, celebrate their achievements, and identify any gaps or challenges. By following up, you can show that you care, build trust, and improve communication.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Alina Atamanova

Clinical psychologist
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Use visualisation yourself when you’re speaking with your patient and let them do the same when they speak with you - be it by using colour coding in their printouts for symptoms checker where every symptom have their own image, or by using associations and associative language (“the pain is like a mountain today”), or by using prepared tracker apps with emojis. Let them choose their pain and symptoms descriptions, but ask them to be consistent and recorded.

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What are some strategies for helping patients with low numeracy skills track their symptoms?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Use visual aids

2 Simplify language

3 Teach self-monitoring skills

4 Involve family or friends

5 Refer to other professionals

6 Follow up regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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What are some strategies for helping patients with low numeracy skills track their symptoms?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Use visual aids

2 Simplify language

3 Teach self-monitoring skills

4 Involve family or friends

5 Refer to other professionals

6 Follow up regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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