NFO Business of Medicine Web Series: Bridging the Gap – Enhancing Healthcare Literacy, Empathy, and Communication to Prevent Bias and Improve Patient Compliance

Effective healthcare depends on more than clinical expertise-it requires communication patients can understand and trust. This session examines how health literacy, empathy, and plain language influence patient safety, treatment adherence, satisfaction, health equity, and organizational risk. Participants will explore common communication barriers, their connection to adverse outcomes and liability, and practical strategies for making written and verbal information more accessible. Through real-world examples and evidence-based tools, attendees will learn how to strengthen informed consent, patient education, discharge instructions, and everyday patient-provider interactions, helping patients make informed decisions and confidently participate in their care. As a result of participating in this activity, learners will be able to: 1. Understand health care literacy in the U.S. 2. Understand the impact of low health literacy on patient outcomes. 3. Demonstrate the connection between health literacy, safety and litigation risks. 4. Learn how empathy can enhance patient-provider interactions, improve patient satisfaction and reduce risks. 5. Empower healthcare providers with strategies to communicate effectively and empathetically with patients. 6. Utilize tools and resources to improve both patient, personal and organizational health literacy.