Paeds Cases · professional-practice-and-evidence
Health literacy and accessible information OSCE — liquid-medication counselling and complex discharge
Observed communication encounter testing health literacy universal precautions, teach-back, millilitre dosing with an oral syringe and pictogram, accessible discharge communication, and professional interpreter use.
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Study tools
Target exams
RACP General PaediatricsRACP DCEMRCPCH ClinicalRCPSC Pediatrics
Prompt
Station A is a parent of a 14-month-old being discharged with a liquid antibiotic written in teaspoons who speaks limited English. Station B is a parent of a child with medical complexity leaving on five medications who is confident they have understood.
Station objectives
- Apply health literacy universal precautions using plain language and teach-back. [5] [1]
- Convert an unsafe liquid-medication prescription to millilitres with an oral syringe and pictogram. [2]
- Meet a language need with a professional interpreter and record it. [12]
- Confirm understanding of a complex discharge plan with teach-back and a safety-net. [8]
References6ShowHide
- [1]DeWalt DA, Hink A Health literacy and child health outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. Pediatrics, 2009.PMID 19861480
- [2]Yin HS, Parker RM, Sanders LM, et al. Pictograms, Units and Dosing Tools, and Parent Medication Errors: A Randomized Study. Pediatrics, 2017.PMID 28759396
- [5]Schillinger D, Piette J, Grumbach K, Wang F, Wilson C, Daher C, Leong-Grotz K, Castro C, Bindman AB Closing the loop: physician communication with diabetic patients who have low health literacy. Archives of internal medicine, 2003.PMID 12523921
- [8]Glick AF, Farkas JS, Rosenberg RE, et al. Accuracy of Parent Perception of Comprehension of Discharge Instructions: Role of Plan Complexity and Health Literacy. Academic pediatrics, 2020.PMID 31954854
- [10]Rajbhandari P, VanGeest J, Grossoehme DH, et al. Hospitalists' Practices and Barriers to Health-Literate Communication in Pediatric Inpatient Care. Hospital pediatrics, 2026.PMID 41921989
- [12]Khan A, Yin HS, Brach C, et al. Association Between Parent Comfort With English and Adverse Events Among Hospitalized Children. JAMA pediatrics, 2020.PMID 33074313