Patient Health Literacy Research Articles

How Nurses' Interventions Promote Health Literacy in Patients With Non-Communicable Diseases: A Systematic Review.

More than one-third of all diseases in the world are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and poorer health outcomes are linked to low health literacy (HL), in which nurses have a significant role to play. Various studies have confirmed that there is an association between HL and NCDs. However, less is known about how nurses can intervene in the development of HL in patients with NCDs. This systematic review was carried out to explore, in a comprehensive way, nursing interventions that could promote HL in patients with NCDs. A systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD370625) was carried out on five databases (PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect and JSTOR). Sequences that provided information for our study topic were retrieved and analysed following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. In total, 1915 titles and abstracts were screened, 71 articles were assessed in full-text screening and 25 studies were included in the review. Around 23 different nurse-led intervention strategies were identified, but only 11 major ones were explored in detail. The majority of them prioritised communication (teach-back), self-management programs, counselling and education. In the majority of the trials, a significant positive outcome was discovered. Both nurses and patients needed to devote time and attention to the complex nurse-led HL interventions. Nurses' HL interventions have shown promise in promoting HL and other health outcomes in people with NCDs, but they need to be tailored to fit specific patients. Nursing programs should include more than just patient teaching strategies. Nurses' HL efforts hold potential for enhancing HL in NCD patients, provided they are customised to individual needs.

A mixed-methods observational study of strategies for success in implementation science: overcoming emergency departments hurdles

BackgroundHeart failure is a major public health concern, affecting 6.7 million Americans. An estimated 16% of emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are discharged home. Our Get with the Guidelines in Emergency Department Patients with Heart Failure (GUIDED-HF) toolkit aims to improve AHF self-care and facilitate safer transitions in care for these patients. We describe implementation barriers and facilitators, and the selection and refinement of implementation strategies, to facilitate future GUIDED-HF implementation.MethodsA mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study was conducted in four United States EDs in two diverse healthcare systems in the Pacific West and Midwest. Data were collected using a survey and interviews with ED providers, nurses, and leaders. The survey assessed the ED context using the context scale of the Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA). The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed interviews. Quantitative data were summarized using medians (interquartile ranges) or percentages (frequencies). Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to assess differences in the healthcare system and profession. Qualitative data were analyzed and summarized using rapid qualitative analysis. Convergence of quantitative and qualitative data was used to inform specific refining of implementation strategies to the local context (e.g., who should serve as champions, how best practice alerts should be implemented).ResultsParticipants were predominately white (76%) with median (IQR) age 37.0 (32.0, 41.0). ED leaders/administrators, providers, and nurses comprised 15%, 55%, and 29% of participants, respectively. Sites reported an ORCA context scale score of 3.7 [3.4, 4.0] (scale of 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Comparison of scores by profession showed a significant difference in the context score among providers (3.9 [3.5, 4.0]), leaders (3.7 [3.5, 4.0]), and nurses (3.6 [3.0, 3.9]) (p = 0.048). Qualitative data indicated implementation barriers (e.g., resource limitations, patient health literacy), facilitators (e.g., GUIDED-HF is patient-centric; site and intervention congruent values, norms, and goals), and site-specific needs due to contextual factors (e.g., education needs, feedback mechanisms, champions).ConclusionsSpecific determinants of implementation exist in ED settings and require the refining of implementation strategies to overcome site-specific barriers and enhance facilitators.Trial registrationn/a.

Development and effectiveness evaluation of an interactive e-learning environment to enhance digital health literacy in cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe Internet allows cancer patients to access information about their disease at any time. However, the quality of online information varies widely and is often inaccurate or does not provide all the details patients need to make informed decisions. Additionally, patients’ often limited ability to find and evaluate cancer-related online information can lead to misinformation.ObjectiveAn interactive e-learning environment to promote digital health literacy will be developed and evaluated for effectiveness.Primary hypothesisCancer patients who use the e-learning environment (IG1.1–IG1.3) or the content of the environment as a non-interactive PDF file (IG2) will show greater improvement in their digital health literacy from baseline to 8 weeks after baseline compared to patients who receive no such intervention, but are referred to a standard information brochure.MethodsThe hypothesis will be tested in a stratified randomized controlled superiority trial with five parallel groups and the primary endpoint of digital health literacy. In an e-learning environment, patients will learn strategies to use when searching for reliable cancer-related online information. During development, a prototype will be refined through focus groups and tested for usability by experts and patients. 660 cancer patients will be recruited using convenience sampling and randomly assigned in a 3:1:1 ratio to IG1.1-IG1.3 (three variants of the environment), IG2, or the control group. Two thirds of the 660 participants will be recruited through the German Cancer Information Service (CIS) and one third through non-CIS routes. Allocation will follow stratified randomization, accounting for recruitment route (CIS vs. non-CIS) and cancer type (breast cancer vs. other cancers), with variable block length. The primary outcome, digital health literacy, will be measured at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks after baseline.ConclusionIf the results support the primary hypothesis, then the e-learning environment could empower patients to retrieve more reliable information about their disease. Concerns about the generalizability of the results, since a disproportionate number of inquiries to the CIS come from breast cancer patients, are addressed by a proportionally stratified randomization strategy and diversified recruitment routes.

Exploring Pain and Opioid Misuse Among Patients With Sickle Cell Anemia: Associations With Health Literacy and Pain Catastrophizing.

This study aimed to investigate pain characteristics, opioid misuse prevalence, and the relationship between healthliteracy and pain catastrophising in patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from patients with SCD in Oman. Validated tools were used to assess pain (Brief Pain Inventory), healthliteracy (HLS-Q12), opioid misuse (Current Opioid Misuse Measure [COMM]), and pain catastrophising (Pain Catastrophising Scale). The study included 169 patients with SCD, with an average age of 34.4 (SD = 12.9) years, of whom 51.5% werefemale. A total of 79.3% of the participants reported experiencing pain, with an average total pain score of 3.8 (SD = 2.6).Additionally, 74% of the patients were identified as being at risk of opioid misuse. The risk of opioid misuse was positivelyassociated with pain catastrophising (r = 0.302, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with health literacy (r = -0.220, p = 0.005). Pain severity and interference are also linked to the risk of opioid misuse. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, sex, and education, showed no significant association with the risk of opioid misuse. Patients with SCD face high rates of chronic pain and considerable risk of opioid misuse. Psychological factors, particularly pain catastrophising and lower healthliteracy, were strongly associated with misuse risk, while sociodemographic factors had less impact. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing psychological support and health literacy to reduce opioidmisuse in SCD patients. Healthcare providers should integrate pain management strategies with educational programs to enhancehealth literacy and mitigate the psychological burden of pain.

Real-World-Evidence of Digital Health Applications (DiGAs) in Rheumatology: Insights from the DiGAReal Registry.

Prescribable digital health applications (DiGAs) present scalable solutions to improve patient self-management in rheumatology, however real-world evidence is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effectiveness, usage, and usability of DiGAs prescribed by rheumatologists, as well as patient satisfaction. The DiGAReal registry includes adult patients with rheumatic conditions who received a DiGA prescription. Data at baseline (T0) and the 3-month follow-up (T1) were collected through electronic questionnaires. Study outcomes included DiGA-specific outcome assessments as well as generic outcome assessments, including the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Patient Activation Measure (PAM®), and the German Telehealth Usability and Utility Short Questionnaire (TUUSQ). Changes between T0 and T1 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired tests. A total of 191 patients were included between June 2022 and April 2023. Of these, 127 completed the 3-month follow-up, and 114 reported using the prescribed DiGA, with 66% reporting weekly use and 15% completing the full DiGA program. The most commonly prescribed DiGAs targeted pain management (53%). Symptom improvement was reported by 51% of patients using a DiGA, with significant reductions in exhaustion levels (p = 0.03). Significant DiGA-specific improvements were observed for DiGAs addressing back pain (p = 0.05) and insomnia (p = 0.006). However, no overall significant changes were detected in patient activation, health literacy, pain, overall health, or disease activity. Back pain and weight management DiGAs were the most effective, frequently used, and best-rated DiGAs, with symptom improvements reported by 50% to 82% of patients. The findings suggest that DiGAs can improve symptom management in rheumatic patients, especially for conditions like back pain and weight control. Further real-world evidence is needed and may support value-based digital health efforts and reimbursement frameworks.

From experts' perspective, factors affecting the effectiveness of online educational programs in promoting the health literacy of MS patients: A grounded theory approach.

Online educational programs have emerged as a promising tool for promoting health literacy (HL) among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, identifying influencing factors is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. This study aimed to explain the factors affecting the effectiveness of online educational programs in promoting HL among MS patients in Iran. A qualitative methodology based on Grounded Theory (GT) was employed and participants were recruited using snowball sampling. A total of 17 experts, including patient educators and HL experts, were interviewed until theoretical saturation was achieved. Participants were selected from patient rehabilitation centers in Tehran and members of the Iran MS Society. Analysis of the interview data revealed six contextual factors. These factors included socioeconomic status, healthcare infrastructure, technological accessibility and literacy, cultural and linguistic diversity, support networks and caregiver involvement, and health policy and regulatory environment. Addressing socioeconomic disparities, improving technological access and literacy and fostering cultural sensitivity are essential steps to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of these programs. Moreover, collaboration with caregivers and policymakers is crucial for creating an enabling environment that supports the successful integration of online health education initiatives into MS care. Findings from this study can enhance the efficacy and productivity of online programs aimed at boosting HL among patients with specific conditions like MS.

Allergen immunotherapy in Italy: How, when, and why-A real-world study conducted through a patient association.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment that modifies the natural course of allergies. However, AIT is only used in some eligible patients, is frequently underused, and only a few studies investigated this aspects. Understanding AIT utilization patterns might disclose information about why it is underused, thus providing valuable insights on how to broaden the positive impact it can have on the population. A questionnaire aiming to assess the trends of the use of AIT in Italy, patient health literacy on AIT, and the impact of respiratory allergies and AIT on patients' lives was submitted to patients affiliated with Respiriamo Insieme APS patient's association during the period between May and October 2023. Nine hundred forty-four patients completed the questionnaire. Most patients reported to be affected by allergic rhinitis (81.1%), allergic asthma (45.4%), and/or allergic conjunctivitis (41.2%), and many of them presenting a combination of these diseases. Only 53.8% knew about AIT's existence, and AIT was proposed to only 33.1% of the 858 patients affected by allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma, of which 29.2% decided not to initiate the therapy. Common reasons for AIT refusal were related to indecisiveness (26.5%), costs (22.9%), and skepticism (19.3%). Among the remaining 70.8% who accepted to start AIT, 21.4% discontinued the treatment beforehand, on average 18.26 months from initiation. There was a high heterogeneity in the suggested duration of AIT, with 20.4% of patients receiving indications to continue AIT for less than 3 years. AIT positively impacted patients' lives as most patients who completed AIT found it effective and safe, and experienced a significant reduction in the workdays/schooldays lost due to disease exacerbations. The outcomes of this research pointed out a lot of misinformation surrounding AIT, calling for improvements in awareness and information on its efficacy and safety. Also, we noted a significant reduction in work/school days lost in patients who completed AIT and a good patient-reported safety and efficacy profile. We advocate for better economic accessibility through national-level standardization in treatment refundability. Notably, the collaboration with the patient association was crucial, and it would have been challenging to conduct this research otherwise.

Cognitive impairment and limited health literacy are associated with poor health outcomes among patients with heart failure residing in rural areas.

Cognitive impairment and limited health literacy are prevalent among patients with heart failure, particularly those residing in rural areas, and are linked to poor health outcomes. Little is known about the intricate relationships among cognitive function, health literacy, and rehospitalization and death in rural patients with heart failure. To determine the relationships among cognitive function, health literacy, and cardiac event-free survival (ie, heart failure hospitalizations and cardiac mortality) in rural patients with heart failure. This was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial of 573 rural patients with heart failure. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Cog test. Health literacy was measured by the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Cardiac event-free survival was followed for 2 years. Survival analyses (ie, Kaplan-Meier plots with log-rank test and Cox regression) were used. Cognitive impairment was associated with limited health literacy. Cognitive impairment and limited health literacy predicted worse cardiac event-free survival (P<.05). Patients with both cognitive impairment and limited health literacy had a 2.24 times higher risk of experiencing a cardiac event compared to those without cognitive impairment and with adequate health literacy (P<.001). Patients with cognitive impairment and limited health literacy were at the highest risk of experiencing a cardiac event. It is important to screen rural patients with heart failure for cognitive impairment and limited health literacy. Interventions to improve outcomes need to be developed to target rural patients who have heart failure with cognitive impairment and limited health literacy.

Characterizing health literacy in cardiac rehabilitation patients: a decade of multinational data (2014–2024)

Characterizing health literacy in cardiac rehabilitation patients: a decade of multinational data (2014–2024)

Delivering Patient-Centered Care with Respect to Patient Education and Health Literacy in Athletic Training Job Settings.

A patient-centered care (PCC) environment allows athletic trainers (ATs) to develop trusting relationships with patients, enabling them to make the most informed care decisions. To provide PCC, the AT should assess health literacy and deliver quality patient education. To explore the lived experiences of ATs from different job settings to identify how they deliver PCC specific to health literacy and patient education. Qualitative. Virtual interviews. 27 ATs (age=34±10 y; women=15, men=12) from the physician practice (n=10), college (n=9), and secondary school (n=8) settings. We interviewed the participants using a semi-structured interview protocol. Three researchers coded the transcripts following the consensual qualitative research process for each job setting. Trustworthiness was achieved through multi-analyst triangulation, member checking, and internal auditing. Four domains emerged from all interviews: 1) work environment, 2) essential traits and skills, 3) health literacy assessment strategies, and 4) patient education materials and delivery. In the work environment, ATs described the patient load, interprofessional relationships, and patient characteristics across settings. For essential traits and skills, ATs from the settings varied widely, and different strategies were needed based on differing patient needs. For health literacy assessment strategies, ATs did not formally assess health literacy and relied on perceptions and assumptions. Effective digital information and health informatics strategies were described for patient education materials and delivery. ATs from physician practice, college, and secondary school settings describe using various strategies to create a patient-centered environment. Participants shared their behaviors in assessing health literacy and delivering patient education from various job settings.

AI-Enhanced Healthcare: Integrating ChatGPT-4 in ePROs for Improved Oncology Care and Decision-Making: A Pilot Evaluation.

Since 2023, ChatGPT-4 has been impactful across several sectors including healthcare, where it aids in medical information analysis and education. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) play a crucial role in monitoring cancer patients' post-treatment symptoms, enabling early interventions. However, managing the voluminous ePRO data presents significant challenges. This study assesses the feasibility of utilizing ChatGPT-4 for analyzing side effect data from ePROs. Thirty cancer patients were consecutively collected via a web-based ePRO platform, reporting side effects over 4 weeks. ChatGPT-4, simulating oncologists, dietitians, and nurses, analyzed this data and offered improvement suggestions, which were then reviewed by professionals in those fields. Two oncologists, two dieticians, and two nurses evaluated the AI's performance across roles with 540 reviews. ChatGPT-4 excelled in data accuracy and completeness and was noted for its empathy and support, enhancing communication and reducing caregiver stress. It was potentially effective as a dietician. This study offers preliminary insights into the feasibility of integrating AI tools like ChatGPT-4 into ePRO cancer care, highlighting its potential to reduce healthcare provider workload. Key directions for future research include enhancing AI's capabilities in cancer care knowledge validation, emotional support, improving doctor-patient communication, increasing patient health literacy, and minimizing errors in AI-driven clinical processes. As technology advances, AI holds promise for playing a more significant role in ePRO cancer care and supporting shared decision-making between clinicians and patients.

The Relationship Between Medication Adherence and Health Literacy in Geriatric Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between medication compliance and health literacy in geriatric patients. Methods: The population of this study consists of 207 patients aged 65 and over who applied to the outpatient clinics of a training and research hospital and a public hospital in a province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Data were collected using the "Structured Survey Form", "Medication Compliance Report Scale" and "Health Literacy Scale". the study, CFA was performed with IBM AMOS 21 to determine the structural validity of health literacy in individuals over the age of 65. Results: The average age of the participants was 69.85 ± 4.87 years. It was determined that income level, health literacy and marital status increased medication compliance, but age did not show a significant relationship with medication compliance. A positive significant relationship was found between medication compliance and health literacy scale mean score. Conclusion: These findings suggest that health literacy is a critical factor in medication adherence in geriatric patients. Educational programs aimed at improving health literacy levels are an important strategy to increase medication adherence in this population.

Health literacy in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing regular hemodialysis

Health literacy in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing regular hemodialysis

Health literacy: a new challenge for laboratory medicine.

Poor health literacy and inappropriate test prescribing hamper the value of laboratory medicine. The disintermediation between test producers and interpreters may happen both in Point of Care Tests, where doctor mediation is provided, but laboratory expert supervision is not, and in Direct to Consumer Testing, where no medical mediation is provided at all. In these cases, the respect forpatient's autonomy must not preclude the principles of non-maleficence (as an individual concern) and justice (as a societal concern), as wrong test interpretation can generate confusion, anxiety, inappropriate social behavior, useless medical examinations and considerable cost increase. Considering how different is patient ability to understand test results (if any) and handle any physical and psychological consequence, promoting health literacy and professional laboratory mediation become crucial professional priorities. The aims of this review are 1) to describe the importance of health literacy on laboratory test interpretation, medical advice and therapeutic compliance; 2) to discuss doctor-level, patient-level and caregiver-level educational interventions in light of the four principles of the value-based framework (personal value, technical value, allocative value and societal value). Based on these premises, the authors support the need to enhance health literacy in patients, help doctors improve the communication of results and validate commercial tests under the scrutiny of scientific community.

The Role of Data Visualization in Enhancing Patient Health Literacy

This paper examines how data visualization can serve as a powerful tool to improve patient health literacy by translating complex health information into accessible visual formats. Health literacy, a vital factor in effective healthcare, is influenced by diverse factors such as education, socioeconomic status, and culture. Data visualizations provide a bridge to understanding, allowing patients to more easily comprehend critical health information and, consequently, make informed decisions about their care. The paper investigated the various types of data visualizations used in patient education, discussing design principles for creating effective health-related visual content that can engage patients across health literacy levels. Furthermore, the study examined case studies illustrating successful applications of data visualizations in real-world healthcare settings. In conclusion, the paper addresses the ethical considerations and challenges in employing data visualization as a communication tool, emphasizing the need for culturally competent and inclusive design approaches to maximize comprehension and patient safety. Keywords: Data Visualization, Health Literacy, Patient Education, Healthcare Communication, Ethical Design.

Disaster health literacy for diabetics: A scoping review towards a framework.

Due to the increasing occurrence of natural disasters, it is essential to prioritize the improvement of health literacy during emergencies, particularly for individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes who are especially vulnerable in the medical sector. The primary objective of this study was to identify the key themes within an emerging framework for disaster health literacy specifically tailored for diabetics. A scoping review design was selected based on the Arksey and O'Malley framework. The published articles indexed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were retrieved up to April 2023, applying related keywords. There restrictions were placed in the English language and the study design. Textual analysis method to identify themes in the articles. The research team conducted multiple collaborative sessions to identify the themes related to health literacy during disasters based on a comprehensive review of existing literature. Three challenges were identified during the analysis process. These challenges include the difficulties encountered by diabetic patients in the early stages of disasters, the physical side effects they experience, and the major recommendations for preparedness and initial response. Subsequently, a framework was developed based on the extracted main challenges and the established logical connections between the conceptual codes, achieved through consensus among the research team. The study emphasized the importance of integrating health literacy assessment and training initiatives throughout all stages of the disaster cycle, with a specific emphasis on individuals with diabetes. By implementing such programs, it is anticipated that the overall health literacy of diabetic patients during disasters can be enhanced.

Digital health literacy in Norwegian patients with hip and knee arthroplasty: normative data from a cross-sectional study.

As digital health services become increasingly important in osteoarthritis treatment, understanding patients' digital health literacy (eHL) is crucial, including those undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). We primarily aimed to provide eHL norms in a representative group of Norwegian patients, and secondarily to examine the relationships between eHL and health-related quality of life (QoL). We invited 800 randomly selected THA/TKA patients from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register to complete a paper-based questionnaire, which included sociodemographic variables. eHL was measured using the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ) with 7 domains: Using technology, Understand, Engage, Control, Motivation, Access, and Needs, scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The EuroQol EQ-5D-5L measured health-related QoL. We used multivariable regression to examine relationships between eHL domains and health-related QoL controlling for sociodemographic variables. Respondents' (N = 383, 48%) mean age was 70 years (SD 9.0) and 246 (64%) were female. Mean eHLQ and the proportion of patients with low eHL (≤ 2.5) were Technology 2.7 (34%), Understanding 3.0 (14%), Engage 2.7 (28%), Control 3.2 (7.7%), Motivation 2.8 (35%), Access 2.8 (33%), and Needs 2.6 (46%). Low eHL correlated with older age and low education, but not with sex or type of surgery. Regression analyses showed that lower scores on the domains Technology, Engage, Control, Access, and Needs were associated with poorer QoL after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. About one-third of THA/TKA patients have low eHL, and low eHL was associated with poor QoL.

Health Literacy and Medication Adherence among Patients with Hypertension

Hypertension requires patients to adhere to a medication regimen that needs to be adhered to for life to control blood pressure and prevent complications. A related factor to medication adherence is patients' health literacy, which influences their ability to maintain hypertension prescription regimens. This factor is critical in managing chronic diseases, such as hypertension, to achieve optimal health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between health literacy and medication adherence in patients with hypertension. The study was conducted at public health care centers in West Sumatra. This study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The researchers used a non-probability sampling technique, namely purposive sampling, for a total sample of 175 respondents. Data were collected using the Morisky Medication Adherence (MMAS-8) and Health Literacy Survey Europe-16 (HLS-EU-Q16) questionnaires. Data were processed using computerization with chi-square test. The results showed that 41.7% of patients with hypertension have sufficient health literacy, and 46.9% have low levels of medication adherence. In addition, 52.3% with inadequate health literacy had low levels of medication adherence. The statistical test results obtained a p-value = 0.001 (p &lt; 0.005), indicating a relationship between health literacy and medication adherence. It is essential to improve hypertension treatment adherence by improving the health literacy of patients with hypertension.

Health literacy levels of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

Health literacy is defined as an individual's ability to access, understand and use information to make informed decisions. This study aimed to assess health literacy levels and explore the relationship between health literacy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity. A cross-sectional study of health literacy in patients with COPD used the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale to assess COPD severity. HLQ domains of 'having sufficient information to manage my health', 'actively managing health', and 'understanding health information' scored most highly. Patients with the greatest COPD severity had lower scores in the domain 'having sufficient information to manage my health', but indicated an improved ability to appraise health information. Patients with increased COPD severity have greater self-reported skills in appraising health information, but they report reduced confidence in having sufficient information to manage their health. This study highlights the importance of considering health literacy levels, as this could be a barrier to successful self-management.

Approaches to Reach Trustworthy Patient Education: A Narrative Review.

Patient education is a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Health literacy improves health-related quality of life and health outcomes of patients, enhanced by effective patient education. Inadequate competency of patient education in healthcare providers triggered this review to summarize common approaches and recent advancements. This narrative review summarizes common approaches and recent advancements in patient education with their relations to health literacy, their strengths, limitations, and practical issues. This review highlighted the multifaceted approaches to patient education, emphasizing the importance of tailoring methods to meet the diverse needs of patients. By integrating various strategies, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal/community-level interventions, healthcare providers can create a more comprehensive educational experience that addresses the complexities of patient needs, meanwhile improving the health literacy of patients. With the rise of digital media and artificial intelligence, there is an increasing need for innovative educational resources that can effectively reach and engage patients. Ongoing research and collaboration among healthcare professionals and policymakers will be essential to refine educational strategies and adapt to emerging challenges. It is essential to remain vigilant about potential conflicts of interest that may compromise the integrity of educational content. Effective patient education empowers individuals and their contributions to a healthier society by fostering informed decision-making and encouraging proactive health management.