Víctor M. Montori|Russell L. Rothman
Weakness in numbers
Mayo Clinic|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
health literacy ability complete basic reading numerical tasks required perform health care environment1 specific aspect literacy involves solving problems requiring understanding use quantitative information sometimes called numeracy numeracy skills include understanding basic calculations time money measurement estimation logic performing multistep operations importantly numeracy also involves ability infer mathematic concepts need applied interpreting specific situations use information problem solve clinicians clinical care researchers patient educators patients seem paid less attention numeracy component health literacy however several trends health care including patient selfmanagement patient participation decision making strongly argue favor change two papers published issue journal general internal medicine23 motivate exploration role numeracy health care using case diabetes example