HLTLIT X208 - Health Literacy - Getting Your Message Across: Clear and Effective Health Communication
This self-paced module empowers participants to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of their health communication. Learners will explore how to assess patients’ learning needs, choose appropriate communication tools, and foster a shame-free, supportive environment—especially for those with low health literacy. The module covers selecting key messages, instructional techniques, and communication approaches tailored to patients with hearing, visual, or cognitive impairments.
Delivery Options
Online Self-Paced: A course that is available fully online with no scheduled class sessions or fixed due dates. You can start coursework at any time and work through it independently at your own pace, within the timeframe designated. Online modules may include readings, lecture videos, assignments, quizzes, and more.
Time to Completion
This course is projected to take approximately 5 hours to complete.
Course Completion Requirements
Successful completion of this course requires viewing all materials and achieving a passing score on any included assessments. A certificate will be awarded upon completion.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable Internet connection
- Use Google Chrome browser for Windows or MacOS (ensure both browser and OS are up to date)
- Canvas relies on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for accessibility compliance
- Tablets and smartphones (iOS 7+/Android 4.2+) may be used, but desktop/laptop devices offer the best experience
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
What You’ll Learn
- Describe how to create a shame-free, supportive, patient-centered environment for individuals with low health literacy
- Determine a patient’s learning needs and readiness to learn
- Describe methods for clearly and effectively communicating health information
- Identify tools and materials that support effective health communication
- Relate developmental stages to appropriate instructional strategies
- Describe communication techniques for individuals with hearing, visual, or cognitive impairments
What You’ll Earn
- A certificate of completion issued by The Ohio State University
Additional Information
Accessibility support is available to all learners. For assistance, contact the College of Medicine Digital Accessibility Coordinator at DigitalAccessibility@osumc.edu.
Contact Us
For questions about enrollment, payment options, technology support, or course records, please contact our Enrollment Support team. Inquiries are typically answered within 24 business hours.
For questions about course content or learning objectives, please contact the instructional team at ScarletCanvasMedEd@osu.edu.