Advancing health literacy through interprofessional education: Strategies for collaborative learning and practice

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to describe an interprofessional collaborative approach to health literacy in health profession education and practice. The chapter will begin with an overview of health literacy education for health profession students, followed by a discussion on the rationale for health literacy in interprofessional education and collaborative practice inclusive of learners, patients/families, educators, health professionals, and organizations. It will then provide resources for educators that will be useful for faculty and facilitators interested in delivering health literacy education interprofessionally. Examples of effective strategies that could be implemented both in education and practice will be discussed, with specific examples from the University of Toronto and the University Health Network. These include campus-based learning activities, practice-based structured placements, and electives throughout the interprofessional education curriculum, at different stages of learner development from levels of exposure, immersion, and mastery of competence. Finally, examples to foster interprofessional collaboration through health-literate care organizational initiatives will be discussed.