The Evolution of Health Literacy
Empowering Patients through Improved Education
Physicians have long pledged to adhere to four basic moral principles, a concise framework for the larger field of medical ethics.
As is commonly known, those values consist of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. However, in order to advocate for these principles for patients, medical professionals must first ensure patients have appropriate medical resources from which to glean information. This book serves to underscore this concept and advance the field of patient education.
About the Authors
Nitin Agarwal, M.D.
Nitin Agarwal, M.D. completed his residency as well as an enfolded complex and minimally invasive spine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Neurological Surgery. His funded research interests focus on improving patient education to optimize clinical outcomes. Dr. Agarwal also maintains an active role in organized neurosurgery advocating for medical student education.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Agarwal is deeply dedicated to martial arts, specifically the disciplines of Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu.
David Hansberry, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Hansberry has chosen to pursue a career in interventional radiology. He is currently an interventional radiologist in the Department of Radiology at Inspira Health Network. He completed his 4 year residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Hansberry has published widely in leading medical, scientific, engineering, and educational journals. He has helped establish bionanotechnology companies, holds scientific patents, and presented his work across the globe. Dr. Hansberry holds BS, MS and PhD degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University, New Jersey. Outside of academics, Dr. Hansberry enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and Labrador retriever.
Arpan Prabhu, M.D.
Arpan V. Prabhu, M.D., joined the Department of Radiation Oncology residency program in July of 2019. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018 and graduated with the prestigious Bert and Sally O’Malley Award for Outstanding Clinical Research. Dr. Prabhu’s research activities focus on health literacy and patient education. To date, he has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals including the JAMA consortium and the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, and has presented over 45 oral and poster presentations at regional and national conferences.