Crystal-clear communication.

Abstract

Consumers who understand health care information--medication directions, their physicians' guidance, package inserts, instructions provided over nurse advice lines, and Web sites--benefit in improved health status as a result. When patients don't understand--and can't act on--medical information and instructions, the impact on health and well-being can be devastating: poor control of diabetes, more hospitalizations and longer lengths of stay, improperly taken medications, and so on.