Attributes of a Health Literate Organization

Find a discussion paper from the Health Literacy Roundtable at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies here that identifies ten attributes of a health literate organization.

New Lexicomp interface

Lexicomp has released its new interface and is offering training sessions to those interested in learning more about using the new interface before the old interface is retired. You can sign up for sessions at the following times:

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, December 1, 2011 @ 4:00 PM EST

Tuesday, December 6, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, December 8, 2011 @ 4:00 PM EST

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 4:00 PM EST

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 4:00 PM EST

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @ 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, December 29, 2011 @ 4:00 PM EST


Or contact the library at library at saskatoonhealthregion dot ca about arranging alternatives.

You can download a quick reference to the changes here

Discussion Paper: Patient-Clinician Communication: Basic Principles and Expectations

In June the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies released a discussion paper outlining key principles of patient centred care impacted by communication between health care providers and patients.

Canadian Patient Safety Week

October 31 to November 4, 2011 is Canadian Patient Safety Week; at the Canadian Patient Safety Institute's website you can register, find tools and resources, answers to FAQs, find out what's happening across the country, and read the stories of patients and families.  CPSW is an annual campaign to inspire improvement in patient safety and promote good communication in healthcare.  This year there is a Virtual Forum, free of charge,  with speakers and participants from all over Canada.  You can read the program, register and find out more here

New Guidelines from the Mental Health Commission of Canada

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has published Guidelines for Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Older Adults in Canada.  You can find the Executive Summary, PDF version and an interactive version of the guidelines here

ETA: The Canadian Women's Health Network has published a critique of the Guidelines here

App for that?

Medical Librarian Michelle Kraft discusses the pros and cons of the Medical Apps section of the App Store.

Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence-Based User's Guide

The FDA has published, for free as a pdf, a resource addressing evidence around risk communication, which is "the term of art used for situations when people need good information to make sound choices... commitment to accuracy and avoidance of spin".  Chapter topics include Quantitative and Qualitative information, Health Literacy, Affect and Emotion, Readability, Shared Decision Making, and Practitioner and Agency perspectives.  To access the full text click here