Websites that address symptoms only are not taking into account the wealth of factors that can influence the diagnosis of a specific disease. At the same time, patients have the right to know about alternative solutions other than those provided or suggested by the physician or health care organization. Sometimes insurance constraints prevent nurses and doctors from mentioning interventions, diagnoses, and cures. The insurance provisions should not come in the way of the patient seeking second opinions or investigating such things as alternative and complementary medicine.

The strategies for assisting patients in becoming informed consumers of online health information include creating brochures and pamphlets, as well as websites. These materials can offer patients helpful links to the CDC (2013) and similar credible resources related to health literacy. The nurse can also communicate better with the patient, and with members of the healthcare team. A strategy that is rooted in communication is bound to succeed, because...

A strategy that includes patient advocacy is also critical, because it suggests that the nurse takes caring seriously and includes issues like patient rights. Health literacy strategies offer the nurse opportunities to subvert and change the patronizing, paternalistic medical model that prevails in most modern institutions. Finally, the best strategy for health literacy begins with assessment and evaluation. When the nurse is aware that a patient has high health literacy, that patient will need less systematic intervention than a patient with low health literacy and who needs ongoing coaching and support.
References

CDC (2013). Health literacy. Retrieved online: http://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/

Speros, C.I. (2011). Promoting health literacy: A nursing imperative. Nurs Clin North Am. 2011 Sep;46(3):321-33, vi-vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2011.05.007