Approaches to Shared Decision-Making for the Oncology Team: Webinar Series-Helping Patients Increase Health Literacy to Improve Decision-Making

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar from the Association of Community Cancer Centers focused on how health literacy, e-health literacy, and financial literacy affect shared decision-making in oncology. Sandy Curtin explained that health literacy is more than reading ability—it includes understanding, communication, technology use, self-management, and the ability to act on health information. She emphasized that cancer care increasingly depends on patients and caregivers managing treatment at home, using patient portals, telehealth, and online resources. She also highlighted the importance of patient-centered communication, teach-back, vetted online resources, and tailoring information to each patient’s situation, beliefs, and support network.<br /><br />Angie Santiago discussed financial health literacy and the role of financial advocates in helping patients understand insurance terms, treatment costs, and available assistance programs. She showed that many patients do not fully understand deductibles, co-insurance, or out-of-pocket costs, and that financial counseling can influence treatment decisions and reduce distress. She stressed using plain language, written summaries, and proactive outreach.<br /><br />Together, the speakers showed that better communication, technology support, and financial navigation help patients make informed, realistic decisions about cancer care.

Asset Caption

Sandra Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN
Nurse Practitioner, Hematology/Oncology
University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ

Angie Santiago, CRCS-I
Lead Financial Counselor – Oncology
Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA

We will discuss practical strategies for increasing health literacy in patients in order to improve healthcare engagement and shared decision-making, with a special focus on eHealth literacy and financial health literacy.

Keywords

health literacy

e-health literacy

financial literacy

shared decision-making

oncology

patient-centered communication

teach-back

financial advocacy

patient portals