Lost in Translation: How Health Literacy Shapes Patient Outcomes

What this episode covers

Most healthcare professionals assume that if they explain something once, patients understand. But the truth? 9 in 10 adults struggle with health literacy. That means nearly every provider is speaking a language their patients don’t fully grasp—without even realizing it. In this episode of the Your Health University Podcast, we explore one of the most overlooked barriers in healthcare: the provider-patient communication gap. When patients don’t understand their conditions, medications, or treatment plans, it’s not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. Todays special guests are Carlos Heyward, Kim Metz, Jennifer Kistler, and Rebecca Dillard, leaders in patient experience at Your Health. They tackle the big questions: ✔️ How does poor health literacy impact patient outcomes? ✔️ What’s the ‘white coat barrier,’ and how do we break it? ✔️ Why do most providers interrupt patients after just 11-18 seconds—and what happens when we actually listen? ✔️ How can simple changes in communication radically improve patient trust and engagement? ✔️ What does it look like when providers shift from talking at patients to partnering with them? This episode is a wake-up call for every provider who wants to create stronger relationships, better patient experiences, and real healthcare equity. Because when we change how we communicate, we change the way we care.

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