National Adult Literacy Database

Individuals with weak literacy skills often lack the resources, skills and confidence to seek out and understand legal information that will help them exercise their rights. Without this information, individuals are often prevented from making informed decisions about issues that affect their lives, such as matters concerning their health and health care. With this manual, literacy tutors can help students understand some basic yet important legal concepts concerning health care and their rights as patients.

This manual should be used in conjunction with the "Health Law Student Manual." It includes a discussion section listing questions you might want to raise with your student. There is also a Resource and Links section to direct you to sites that offer more detailed information at a higher reading level, and referral services.

The following topics are covered in this manual:
- Patient rights
- Consent to health care
- Incapacity
- Access to medical files
- Complaints
- Activities and resources