Patient-related barriers

Patient-related barriers are those arising from our patient’s ability or readiness to engage with educational content. Common barriers include limited health literacy, psychological factors, cultural differences, and misinformation.

a) Health Literacy

Health literacy refers to a patient’s capacity to obtain, understand, and apply health information effectively. Low health literacy is common and significantly impacts treatment adherence and self-management (Berkman et al., 2011).

Challenges

• Difficulty understanding medical terminology and complex explanations.
• Limited ability to follow written or verbal instructions.
• Reduced confidence in decision-making.

Practical strategies

• Use plain language and avoid medical jargon.
• Implement the “teach-back” method, where patients repeat back information in their own words (Ha Dinh et al., 2016).
• Provide visual aids, models, analogies, and simple illustrations to reinforce key messages.
• Tailor educational materials to match the patient’s literacy level.
• Incorporate digital tools like videos or interactive apps to enhance clarity

b) Emotional and psychological barriers

Patients experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression may struggle to process or retain health information effectively (Ha & Longnecker, 2010).

Challenges

• Reduced focus due to anxiety or stress.
• Emotional distress leading to disengagement.
• Pain or fatigue limiting concentration.

Practical strategies

• Foster an empathetic and supportive environment.
• Validate patient concerns with statements like, “I understand this feels overwhelming.”
• Deliver information in small, manageable segments.
• Provide written summaries and encourage reflective questions.
• Involve a multidisciplinary team in the patient’s management.

c) Language and cultural differences

Language barriers and cultural health beliefs significantly impact patient education. Limited proficiency in the language used by healthcare providers can lead to misunderstandings and non-adherence (Betancourt et al., 2003). Additionally, cultural perceptions of illness, treatment, and medical authority influence patient receptiveness to information.

Challenges

• Miscommunication due to language barriers.
• Conflicting cultural health beliefs.
• Misinterpretation of non-verbal cues on a cultural basis.

Practical strategies

• Use professional interpreters over family members when possible to mitigate risk of misinterpretation.
• Develop culturally sensitive educational materials.
• Respect cultural perspectives while providing evidence-based information.
• Provide bilingual resources, including written and video content.
• Be mindful and adaptable to differences in non-verbal communication.

d) Pre-existing misinformation or negative beliefs

Patients often hold onto misinformation acquired from social media, friends, or prior healthcare experiences, impacting their trust and openness to new information (Ismail et al., 2022).

Challenges

• Reduced trust due to misinformation.
• Resistance to new evidence-based information.

Practical strategies

• Identify patient beliefs before providing education.
• Address misconceptions empathetically, avoiding confrontation.
• Gently challenge and correct misinformation when needed.
• Present relatable, evidence-based information clearly and understandably.
• Engage patients through shared decision-making.