Health Literacy Guide

What is health literacy?

Health literacy means being able to find, understand, and use health information. That includes reading letters, asking questions, understanding medication instructions, making sense of test results, and knowing where to look when you need reliable information.

This is not about being “good” or “bad” at healthcare. Health systems are often confusing, rushed, and full of language nobody explains properly.

• MedlinePlus: Health Literacy A clear overview of what health literacy means and why it matters.
• NALA Health Literacy Irish health literacy advice and resources.

Start with the basics

When you are given new information, try to separate it into four things:

• What is known: diagnosis, test result, symptom pattern, or confirmed finding.
• What is suspected: possible cause, working diagnosis, or next thing to rule out.
• What you need to do: medication, follow up, referral, monitoring, or lifestyle advice.
• What happens next: appointment, scan, blood test, review, or emergency warning signs.

Understanding medical language

Medical notes, letters, and test results often use phrases that sound more certain, more vague, or more alarming than they actually are. It is reasonable to ask what a phrase means in practical terms.

• “Likely” or “suggestive of” usually means the clinician sees a pattern, but it may not be fully confirmed.
• “Unremarkable” usually means nothing concerning was seen in that test or scan.
• “Within normal range” means the result sits inside the expected lab range, but it may still need context.
• “Clinical correlation advised” means the result should be interpreted alongside symptoms, history, and examination.

• Patient.info: Common phrases in your GP record explained A useful plain English guide to phrases that may appear in medical records.

Questions worth asking

• Can you explain that in plain English?
• What are we ruling in or ruling out?
• What should I watch for?
• When should I come back?
• What should I do if symptoms get worse?
• Are there side effects or interactions I should know about?
• Can I have that written down?

Getting the most out of your appointment

Appointments are often short, and it is easy to leave without getting what you needed. A little structure beforehand can make the appointment easier to manage, especially if you are tired, anxious, in pain, or dealing with brain fog.

• Prepare in advance: write down your main symptoms, questions, and any changes since your last visit.
• Lead with your priority: start with the most important issue first, not last.
• Be specific: describe what is happening, when it started, and how it affects your day to day life.
• Ask for clarity: if something is unclear, ask for it to be explained in plain English.
• Take notes: it is easy to forget information during an appointment.
• Confirm next steps: know what happens after the appointment, including tests, referrals, or follow ups.

The post appointment notes are designed as tear out pages, they can also become a practical handover tool. You can stick them on the fridge, beside a medication station, or somewhere visible so family members, carers, or housemates have the key information to hand if needed.

If you are unwell, bring support

If you are dealing with fatigue, pain, brain fog, stress, or overwhelm, it can be difficult to advocate for yourself clearly or retain all the information given during an appointment.

• Bring someone with you if possible: they can help take notes, ask questions, and make sure key points are not missed.
• Share your priorities in advance: let them know what you most want to get out of the appointment.
• Use them as a second set of ears: they may catch details you miss or remember things differently.

This is not a sign of weakness. It is a practical way to reduce cognitive load and make the appointment work better for you.

Further reading

• MedlinePlus: Talking with your doctor Practical guidance on preparing for appointments and asking questions.
• Patient.info: Symptoms you should not hide from your doctor A useful reminder that embarrassing, vague, or difficult symptoms can still matter.
• Psychology Today: 4 tips to get your doctor to listen Focuses on communication style and being heard during appointments.
• Irish Cancer Society: Getting the most from your doctor’s appointment Practical Irish guidance on preparation, questions, and follow up.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Talking to your doctor Emphasises honesty, preparation, and active participation in care.

Checking if health information is trustworthy

Before acting on health advice online, check who wrote it, when it was updated, whether it links to evidence, and whether it is trying to sell you something.

Good information usually explains limits and uncertainty. Be careful with sources that promise cures, blame you for being unwell, or tell you to stop prescribed treatment without medical advice.

• MedlinePlus: Evaluating health information A practical guide to checking whether online health information is reliable.
• Patient Information Forum Resources on trustworthy health information and health communication.

Useful health information links

• HSE Health A to Z Irish public health information on symptoms, conditions, services, and medicines.
• NHS Health A to Z Plain English information on symptoms, conditions, medicines, and tests.
• MedlinePlus Reliable health information from the US National Library of Medicine.
• Mayo Clinic Condition and treatment information from a major medical centre.