Ask Me 3™: A Useful Health Literacy Promotion Tool for Minority Populations
Rationale/Background: Low health literacy is a significant community health problem associated with poor health outcomes. Approximately 80 million American adults have limited health literacy, with rates higher among vulnerable populations. To improve health literacy, the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) developed the “Ask Me 3™” program. The program uses a simple communication tool where patients are encouraged to ask their healthcare provider three simple questions: 1) What is my main problem?; 2) What do I need to do?; and 3) Why is it important for me to do this?
Description of Undertaking: This project was part of health surveillance activities that provided diabetes and cardiovascular health screenings at community events targeting minority populations in South Texas. Community participants of the health screenings (N= 280) were surveyed on their knowledge of the Ask Me 3™ program and level of comfort in using the questions. They were also provided a copy of the Ask Me 3™ questions to use at their next healthcare provider visit. Three months after health screening, participants who agreed to be followed up were asked if they used the Ask Me 3 questions at their healthcare visit and to share their experience.
Outcomes Achieved/Documented: The participants were mostly female and married, with a mean age of 45. They were Hispanics (37%), Caucasians (24%), Asians (20%), African Americans (8%) and Native Americans (2%). Majority of the participants (95%) were unaware of the Ask Me 3™ program. However, more than 97% reported comfort in using these questions. At follow-up, those who used the tool considered it as a helpful reminder and facilitator of communication between themselves and the healthcare provider.
Conclusions: Despite national support for the Ask Me™ program, the results suggest that the program is not known in the community. Where used, the Ask Me 3™ questions improved communication between patients and healthcare providers. The participants who used the Ask Me 3™ questions appreciated how the tool reminded them of aspects to ask the healthcare provider thus facilitating communication. The Ask Me 3™ program should be disseminated in avenues where healthcare interactions take place especially in vulnerable populations. Nationwide dissemination of this program must be supported at all levels of the healthcare system.