3 Questions answered, Billions saved

October 16th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Health information illiteracy costs our nation 58 billion dollars per year. This type of illiteracy is common not only in the immigrant and HS dropout but in college graduates also. Health information is written above the 12th grade reading level. Most people in our country read at 9th grade or below.

If each person would ask 3 questions each time they saw a health care provider, and each provider answered the questions before the patient left, we could save billions.

Ask Me 3 is an organization devoted to getting three questions answered for each patient every time they are treated, tested, or fill a prescription. It is a non-profit organization funded by a grant from Pfizer, a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

What are these 3 questions?

1. What is my main problem?

2. What do I need to do?

3. Why is it important for me to do this?

These should be asked of your doctor, nurse and pharmacist. They should be asked when you receive care, purchase medicine, or are preparing for a medical test or procedure. Often when you are sick, you get new and sometimes complicated instructions. Don’t be afraid to ask “Would you explain that to me one more time?” Bring someone with you to hear instructions and take notes. Recording instructions is a good idea also. Visit Ask Me 3 to learn more.

Thanks to Jane Sarasohn-Kahn and her blog Health Populi for bringing this issue to my attention.

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