How does health literacy impact MTM services?

The impact of health literacy on Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services is significant and multifaceted. Patients who possess lower health literacy often face challenges in understanding medications, instructions for use, and the importance of proper adherence to their prescribed therapies. This struggle can lead to misunderstandings about how and when to take medications, which may ultimately contribute to poor medication adherence.

When patients are unable to comprehend medical information, they may not follow their medication regimens as intended, which can result in suboptimal health outcomes, increased risks of adverse events, and a higher likelihood of hospitalizations. MTM services aim to mitigate these issues by providing individualized support and education tailored to the patient's level of understanding. By doing so, healthcare providers can help improve medication management and adherence among those with low health literacy.

This concept underscores the necessity of assessing health literacy when providing MTM services and adjusting communication strategies accordingly to ensure that all patients receive the necessary information in a manner they can understand.