Ask Me is a 星空体育 initiative to let people know about Health Literacy. We want you to ask us questions about your health and healthcare.
At 星空体育 recognise that good health literacy means people can understand and act on health information, feel enabled to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, and know where to go for healthcare when they need it.
Our Health Literacy Strategy 2025 - 2030 has been developed hand in hand with patients, carers, clinicians and community representatives. It recognises that three pillars – improved communication, empowered consumers, and support
to navigate services – are key to ensuring our community can make the best use of health services whilst confidently managing their own conditions and making decisions in partnership with health care professionals.
Many factors influence a person’s Health Literacy, such as age, gender, education, language, cultural background, occupation and beliefs. You can see why it might be complicated!
Health Literacy is not a reflection of a person’s intelligence. Health concepts are sometimes difficult to understand and it doesn't matter how much formal education you have received. For example, someone who is highly educated does not necessarily know a lot about their medical conditions.
Imagine if your car mechanic expected you to know how to take apart your engine and explain what each part was for? It is perfectly normal to not understand health information the first time you hear it or read about it.
For more information, take a look at this from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.
There are a few things you can do to understand information about your health, and your family’s health.
Ask us questions!
The best thing you can do is to questions. If we explain something to you that doesn't make sense, please ask us to repeat it or explain it in a different way. We don't mind how many times we have to explain something, because the important thing is that you understand the information.
Before your healthcare appointment, try taking a few moments to think about questions you might have and write these down so that you feel prepared. If you need help thinking of what to ask, try using this handy .
– reading, listening, writing down information, watching videos, drawing pictures. Think about how you like to learn and ask your health provider if they can give you the information in a way that suits you.
Drop the Jargon
As health providers, we are specialists in our field, and as sometimes we use many words and phrases that are very specific to healthcare (this is known as ). It is our responsibility to use everyday words to explain health concepts to you so that you can understand what you need to do to look after your health.
If we use a medical word that you do not understand, please point this out to your healthcare provider and ask them to explain the word.
Speak up for yourself
Did you know, that many people feel that they should not question their doctor’s advice? If you are having a test, procedure or treatment and you do not understand what is happening or why it is happening, please speak up and ask for more details.