A couple of resources that may be of interest in terms of supporting our patients and consumers to develop their health literacy and/or digital literacy skills include:
Health literacy – e-learning resources
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have developed an e-learning module and three short videos to promote shared decision making and risk communication in practice, enabling clinicians and patients to work together to share in decision making.
The e-learning module is a 2-hour open access learning module that focuses on ‘Helping Patients Make Informed Decisions: Communicating benefits and risks.’ The module aims to support clinicians to develop and refine their skills in communicating effectively about the benefits and risks of treatment options with patients.
The three short videos on shared decision making provide an overview on shared decision making; challenge myths about shared decision making in practice; and explain how to use patient decision aids and where to find them.
You can access the module and videos on the Commission website. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/communicatingrisk/
If you have any questions about this work, please contact Naomi Poole, Program Manager, Partnering with Consumers on Naomi.Poole@safetyandquality.gov.au
Digital literacy for seniors
Be Connected is an Australian Government initiative aimed at increasing the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australians in using digital technology. Be Connected adopts a family and community centered approach to target those aged 50 years and over, who have minimal or no engagement with digital technology.
Be Connected was launched in October 2017 and is delivering a range of resources including:
- A dedicated Be Connected website with information and interactive training tools and resources for older Australians, their families and peers, and local community organisations.
- Free access to personalised face-to-face help and support through a large group of community organisations located across Australia such as libraries, neighbourhood centres, community clubs, retirement villages and services supporting older Australians.
More information can be found here.
A program called Telstra Tech Savvy Seniors was also previously funded in Victoria and may be funded again in the future. More information can be found here https://www.telstra.com.au/tech-savvy-seniors/about-tech-savvy-seniors