
How It Works
The HEAL Program focuses on patient engagement and education. In order to effectively address the issue of low health literacy, both providers and patients need to be educated on how best to communicate with each other.
The program
The HEAL Program meets both needs by providing classes for adults with low health literacy and the resources and materials to train medical staff. HEAL classes often include a field trip to a local hospital or guest speakers from the medical community.
HEAL CLASSES
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Literacy for Life offers HEAL courses for adults that increase their knowledge of current health care topics, medical terminology, and standard processes and practices. Students learn how to:
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Describe symptoms to a doctor
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Read and understand medication instructions
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Use Urgent Care instead of the ER when appropriate
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Fill out medical forms
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Ask questions to better understand diagnosis, prescriptions, and next steps
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Make lifestyle changes that can improve health
TRAINING FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
The HEAL training for medical staff raises awareness of low health literacy and provides practical tools and strategies for working with patients. The presenter provides an interactive, engaging training session packed with useful information. Key topics include:
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Identifying patients with low health literacy
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Communicating clearly, effectively, and respectfully
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Checking for comprehension
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Being culturally sensitive
Your program purchase includes
PROGRAM TRAINING
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Overview of curriculum
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Teaching adult learners
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Teaching English as a Second Language
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Guidance on implementation
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Marketing materials
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Record keeping and evaluation process
MATERIALS
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Instructor guide with detailed lesson plans
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50 workbooks
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Visuals and flashcards
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PowerPoint for medical staff presentations
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Templates of forms and certificates
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Pre- and post-surveys
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PowerPoint slides for every lesson
SUPPORT
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Telephone consulting/support
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Access to additional workbooks for purchase
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Access to newly developed lessons
Designed for different literacy levels

The HEAL curriculum has three tiers—basic, intermediate, and advanced—for learners at different literacy levels. The basic tier may be appropriate for a recent immigrant who knows and understands very little English, and the advanced tier may be appropriate for a native English speaker who faces some literacy challenges. There are eight lessons at the beginner and intermediate levels and ten lessons at the advanced level.
A peek inside
LEARNER BOOK

INSTRUCTOR BOOK

Developed by
Literacy For Life
fvangheem@wm.edu
www.literacyforlife.org
GET STARTED
Become a licensed
HEAL Complete provider!
To learn more and receive a custom quote, contact:
+1 (757) 221-3325
fvangheem@wm.edu
© 2024 THE HEAL PROGRAM®
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
