Bridging the Literacy Gap to Strengthen Dermatologic Care – Dermatology Times

Report on Patient-Centered Communication in Dermatology and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Enhancing Health Outcomes Through Education (SDG 3)

Effective patient education and health literacy are critical drivers for achieving treatment success in dermatology, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). While clinical expertise in diagnostics and therapeutics is high, meaningful patient engagement is often compromised within the standard 10–15-minute clinical visit. This gap hinders the achievement of quality health outcomes.

• Patient education is frequently identified as an overlooked component in successful treatment protocols.
• Ensuring patients understand and can act on medical advice is fundamental to providing quality healthcare services as outlined in SDG 3.

Bridging Health Literacy Gaps for Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 4 & SDG 10)

A significant disparity exists between the technical language used by clinicians and the functional health literacy of the average patient. This mismatch creates barriers to effective care, undermining progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). To foster health equity, communication strategies must be revised.

1. It is reported that the average functional health literacy level of adult patients aligns with that of a sixth grader, a factor clinicians often overestimate.
2. Providers are encouraged to translate medical terminology into plain language, avoiding jargon to improve patient comprehension and adherence.
3. This approach empowers patients in self-management, directly contributing to more equitable health outcomes for all populations.

Tailoring Communication to Promote Inclusivity (SDG 10)

To ensure no one is left behind, communication must be tailored to the specific needs of diverse populations, a core principle of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. A one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient for effective and equitable healthcare delivery.

• Cultural context, behavioral factors, and age-specific considerations are key variables in a patient’s ability to process and act on medical guidance.
• In pediatric dermatology, a common pitfall is addressing the parent while neglecting the child. Direct, age-appropriate communication with pediatric patients is essential for fostering understanding, reducing anxiety, and promoting inclusive, family-centered decision-making.

Fostering Partnerships and Navigating Digital Information (SDG 17 & SDG 3)

Collaborative, team-based care and responsible guidance on digital health information are vital for strengthening health systems. The emphasis on interprofessional collaboration aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), while managing online information supports the delivery of quality care under SDG 3.

• Team-based care models, where Physicians, PAs, and NPs share knowledge and collaborate, significantly strengthen patient outcomes.
• Clinicians have a responsibility to address the prevalence of patients seeking information online by guiding them toward trustworthy, evidence-based resources, thereby combating misinformation and reinforcing therapeutic alignment.

Innovative Educational Approaches for Sustainable Health (SDG 4)

Extending patient education beyond the clinical setting through innovative tools supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting lifelong learning for health and well-being. Creative materials can supplement the limited time available during appointments.

• One such innovative approach involves the creation of children’s books that explain pediatric wellness and dermatologic concepts in a literacy-friendly format.
• These resources serve as effective tools for extending education beyond the exam room, offering families an accessible way to reinforce health knowledge.

Reference

1. Korber K. The art of patient-centered communication. Presented at: 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference; November 12-16, 2025; Tampa, FL.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is improving patient health outcomes in dermatology through better communication and education. It directly addresses the quality of healthcare by focusing on methods to enhance “treatment success,” “adherence,” and “self-management.”
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article heavily emphasizes the need for “patient education” and improving “health literacy.” It discusses the challenge of low functional health literacy among patients and proposes solutions like using plain language, creating children’s books on wellness, and guiding patients to “trustworthy, evidence-based resources.” This aligns with promoting lifelong learning for health and well-being.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The text highlights the importance of “tailoring communication to the needs of specific populations,” considering “cultural context, behavioral factors, and age-specific considerations.” By addressing the communication gap with pediatric patients and acknowledging different literacy levels, the article touches upon ensuring equitable access to understandable health information, which helps reduce inequalities in health outcomes.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article promotes collaboration through “team-based care,” where “PAs, NPs, and physicians collectively strengthen patient outcomes.” It also describes a partnership between clinicians and patients, where clinicians guide patients toward reliable online resources, fostering an alliance against misinformation from “Dr. Google.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.8 (under SDG 3): Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The article’s focus on improving patient comprehension, adherence, and outcomes through better communication directly relates to enhancing the *quality* of essential healthcare services.
• Target 4.7 (under SDG 4): By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles… The article’s emphasis on boosting “health literacy” so patients can understand and act on medical advice is a direct application of this target, promoting knowledge for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
• Target 10.3 (under SDG 10): Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome… The article advocates for adapting communication for different ages (e.g., speaking directly to pediatric patients) and literacy levels to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to understand their health conditions and treatment, thereby reducing potential inequalities in health outcomes.
• Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The article’s call for “team-based care” involving collaboration among different healthcare professionals (PAs, NPs, physicians) is a clear example of a partnership aimed at strengthening patient outcomes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicators for Target 3.8: The article suggests that progress can be measured by tracking improvements in “treatment success,” patient “adherence” to medical recommendations, and patient “self-management” capabilities. These serve as qualitative indicators of the quality of care.
• Implied Indicators for Target 4.7: A key indicator mentioned is the “functional health literacy level” of patients. The article notes the current average is equivalent to a “sixth grader,” providing a baseline. Progress could be measured by assessing increases in patient comprehension and their ability to use health information effectively.
• Implied Indicators for Target 10.3: While not quantitative, the article implies that progress could be measured by observing improved health outcomes and reduced anxiety in specific populations, such as pediatric patients. Success would mean “family-centered decision making” is better supported and outcomes are more consistent across different demographic groups.
• Implied Indicators for Target 17.17: The article implies that the effectiveness of partnerships can be measured by the successful implementation of “team-based care” models. Another indicator would be the extent to which clinicians successfully “redirecting patients to vetted educational sites,” thereby reducing confusion and reinforcing “therapeutic alignment.”

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dermatologytimes.com