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Journal of General Internal Medicine
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine 1/2008

01-01-2008 | Perspectives

Evidence Does Not Support Clinical Screening of Literacy

Authors: Michael K. Paasche-Orlow, MD, MA, MPH, Michael S. Wolf, PhD, MPH

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Limited health literacy is a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Despite controversy, many health care professionals have called for routine clinical screening of patients’ literacy skills. Whereas brief literacy screening tools exist that with further evaluation could potentially be used to detect limited literacy in clinical settings, no screening program for limited literacy has been shown to be effective. Yet there is a noted potential for harm, in the form of shame and alienation, which might be induced through clinical screening. There is fair evidence to suggest that possible harm outweighs any current benefits; therefore, clinical screening for literacy should not be recommended at this time.
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Metadata
Title
Evidence Does Not Support Clinical Screening of Literacy
Authors
Michael K. Paasche-Orlow, MD, MA, MPH
Michael S. Wolf, PhD, MPH
Publication date
01-01-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0447-2

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