12/11/2025
🚀 The #1 Barrier to Patient Engagement is NOT What You Think.
Affordability. Knowledge Gaps. Lack of Support. These are all major hurdles, but research often points to a single, critical barrier that underpins them all:
Low Health Literacy.
If a patient doesn't fully understand their condition, treatment plan, or why they need a medication, adherence plummets—regardless of how convenient your app is or how empathetic the doctor is.
In a Value-Based Care world, engaged patients are the foundation of successful outcomes and cost optimization. We must move beyond just providing access to information and focus on comprehension.
💡 How can we combat this?
✅ Plain Language: Ditch the jargon. Communicate in terms a patient's average reading level can easily digest.
✅ Personalized Education: Use digital tools for patient education that are tailored to the individual's specific phase of care and learning style (videos, simple infographics, etc.).
✅ Shared Decision-Making: Empower patients by involving them in the care planning process, ensuring their preferences and goals are respected.
I'm challenging my network: What is the single most effective program or tool you've seen that successfully raised patient health literacy? Share your wins! 👇
