General Objectives of the Course

Identify the main concepts related to health literacy, digital health literacy, digitalinclusion in health, and the critical and ethical use of digital tools and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in healthcare; Recognize vulnerability factors in health in different care contexts; Analyze personcentered communication strategies, including Plain Language, Teach-Back Method, and Ask Me 3®; Apply assessment tools for the comprehensibility, actionability, and suitability of educational materials in health; Develop inclusive digital resources adapted to different levels of health literacy, critically using digital tools to
support communication in health; Evaluate digital educational materials for accessibility, comprehensibility, and suitability to different situations; Integrate principles of clear communication, digital inclusion, ethical use of digital technologies, and humanization of healthcare.

Admission Requirements

The course is intended for professionals in the health sciences, namely nursing, public health, and related fields, with an interest in developing competencies in health literacy, health communication, digital inclusion, and the promotion of health equity. Health professionals working in clinical, community, educational, or health management settings who are involved in health education, communication
of health information, patient empowerment, development of educational materials, or implementation of strategies to promote accessibility of health information in digital environments are also eligible to apply.
Candidate selection may take into consideration the relevance of the applicant’s academic and/or professional background to the objectives of the course.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Mode of Study

E-learning

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The course assessment will be quantitative, expressed on a grading scale from 0 to 20 points.
Each of the three modules will be assessed continuously, including participation in the proposed activities, critical analysis, practical exercises, and the completion of an applied assignment/exercise, according to the specific assessment criteria defined for each module. All modules will have the same weighting in the final
course grade, which will be calculated using the following formula:

Final Grade =
𝑀1 + 𝑀2 + 𝑀3
3
where M1, M2, and M3 correspond to the grades obtained in each of the three modules, expressed on a grading scale from 0 to 20 points.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Analysis of vulnerability situations associated with communication in health literacy. Selection of communication strategies. Implementation of clear, person-centered communication strategies, including the Teach-Back Method and Ask Me 3®. Adaptation of health education content according to the principle of Plain Language and accessibility of health information. Evaluation of health education materials using validated comprehensibility and actionability instruments. Design of inclusive digital resources tailored to the needs of different populations and care contexts. Integration of principles of digital inclusion, humanization, and active participation of the person in the interaction with healthcare providers. Development of digital educational solutions that promote health literacy in clinical and community contexts. Critical use of digital tools and emerging technologies to support communication and health literacy.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra