Actual and perceived patient health literacy: How accurate are residents’ predictions?

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 290-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laci L Zawilinski ◽  
Heather Kirkpatrick ◽  
Barbara Pawlaczyk ◽  
Himabindu Yarlagadda

Health literacy has repeatedly been shown to be associated with a multitude of negative health outcomes. Previous research has shown that patient health literacy levels are hard to predict by physicians and that assessment tools used to measure health literacy may be outdated or lacking. The purpose of this study is to replicate and extend the findings of previous research by examining residents’ ability to predict health literacy levels in patients and to use a newer validated measure of health literacy. A total of 38 patient encounters were included in this study. Patients were administered the Health Literacy Skills Instrument-Short Form to assess health literacy levels. Twenty resident physicians conducted visits with study participants and were asked to predict the health literacy of their patients. Results indicated that, consistent with previous research, residents’ predictions of patient health literacy were not consistent with patient health literacy levels as measured by the Health Literacy Skills Instrument-Short Form. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 486-491
Author(s):  
Samsiana Samsiana ◽  
Syamsiar Siang Russeng ◽  
Ridwan Amiruddin

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive patients with low health literacy rarely visit health services, therefore, they have more chances of being hospitalized in comparison with those having a more adequate health literacy. AIM: This article aims to identify intervention based on integration of health literacy and its outcome in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Articles were searched using four bibliographic databases, namely, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. PRISMA 2015 is used as a guideline for determining which articles are selected, one of the criteria being published on 2011–2021. RESULTS: A total of 25,264 articles were obtained from the four databases. Seven articles were selected after the extraction and incorporation of the inclusion criteria. The health outcomes of hypertension sufferers after receiving intervention based on integration of health literacy were divided into three groups; medical health outcomes, health literacy skills, and hypertension self-management behavioral. CONCLUSION: An intervention integrated with health literacy and considering the hypertensive patient health literacy in its own will increase the health outcomes of hypertensive patient.


Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Shirley Wu ◽  
Nicholas Jackson ◽  
Spencer Larson ◽  
Katherine T. Ward

(1) Background: Internal medicine (IM) resident physicians need to be trained to care for older adults and transition them safely across care settings. Objective: The study purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of a curriculum in geriatrics assessment and communication skills for transitions of care (TOCs) to IM resident physicians. (2) Methods: IM residents rotated for 4 weeks on the geriatrics consult service at a large public teaching hospital, where they received didactic lectures and clinical experience in consultation and transitional care. The curriculum was designed to meet consensus guidelines for minimum geriatrics competencies expected of IM residents. Previously validated and published assessment tools were used for geriatrics knowledge and attitudes. Locally developed tools were used to directly observe and rate communication skills, and self-assess geriatrics assessment and health literacy skills. The curriculum was evaluated using a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized, single-group pre- and post-test observational design. Data on 31 subjects were collected over 18 months and analyzed using mixed-effects models. (3) Results: Average knowledge scores improved from 65% to 74% (Δ9%, 95% CI 4–13%, p < 0.001). Communication skills improved by an average of 1.15 points (95% CI 0.66–1.64, p < 0.001) on a 9-point scale. Attitudes did not change significantly. Self-rated confidence in geriatrics assessment and health literacy skills improved modestly. (4) Conclusions: The curriculum is effective in teaching basic geriatrics knowledge and communication skills, and increasing self-confidence in geriatrics assessment skills. In settings where an inpatient geriatrics consult service is feasible, the curriculum may be a model for combining geriatrics and TOC training.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Guttersrud ◽  
Christopher Le ◽  
Kjell Sverre Pettersen ◽  
Sølvi Helseth ◽  
Hanne Søberg Finbråten

Abstract Background The self-reported European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is a widely used measure for population health literacy. Based on confirmatory factor analyses and Rasch modelling, the short form HLS-Q12 was developed to meet the Rasch unidimensional measurement model expectations. After its publication, there was a worldwide call to identify HLS-Q12 cutoff scores and establish clearly delineated standards regarding the skills assessed. This study therefore aims to identify the HLS-Q12 scores associated with statistically distinct levels of proficiency and to construct a proficiency scale that may indicate what individuals typically know and can do at increasingly sophisticated levels of health literacy. Methods We applied the unidimensional Rasch measurement model for polytomous items to responses from 900 randomly sampled individuals and 388 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Using Rasch based item calibration, we constructed a proficiency scale by locating the ordered item thresholds along the scale. By applying Wright’s method for the maximum number of strata, we determined the cutoff scores for significantly different levels. By directly referring to item content that people who achieved the cutoff scores viewed as ‘easy’, we suggested what these gradually more advanced levels of health literacy might mean in terms of item content. Results Analysing the population sample, we identified statistically distinct levels of health literacy at the empirically identified cutoff scores 27, 33 and 39. We confirmed them by analysing the responses from individuals with diabetes. Using item calibration, the resulting HLS-Q12 proficiency scale expresses typical knowledge and skills at these three statistically distinct levels. The scale’s cumulative nature indicates what it may mean qualitatively to move from low to high health literacy. Conclusions By identifying levels of health literacy, we may initiate the improvement of current models of health literacy. Determining how to adapt information to patients’ health literacy level is a possible clinical outcome. A substantial methodological outcome is the inevitability of Rasch modelling in measurement. We found that Wright’s method identified rating scale cutoff scores consistently across independent samples. To reveal sources of potential biases, threats to validity and imprecision of benchmarks, replication of our study in other contexts is required


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239920262091003
Author(s):  
Mtungwazi Kudzinesta ◽  
Mwangana Mubita ◽  
Francis Kalemeera ◽  
Brian Godman ◽  
Ester Hango ◽  
...  

Introduction: Higher levels of health literacy improve utilization of health information, medication adherence and outcomes. Few studies evaluate the utility of medicines information in hypertensive care in settings with low health literacy. Aim: To determine the level of health literacy and utility of medicines information leaflets (MILs) among hypertensive patients in public health care in Namibia. Methods: A hospital-based survey among hypertensive patients receiving care at a referral hospital in Namibia from the 8 June 2018 to 29 June 2018. Patient’s health literacy and utility of MIL were assessed using three literacy tools and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic content analysis for factors associate with the utility of the MIL. Results: Of the 139 patients, 63% were female and the mean age was 45.7 (range: 19.0–84.0) years. Over 85.6% had of low literacy skills (Rapid Estimate of Literacy in Medicine (REALM) score <44, that is, unable to read simple health materials), 38.8% had positive Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS) scores (⩾2, require help to read medicines information) and 66.9% had inadequate skills for comprehension, appraisal and decision-making with regard to health information (Health Literacy Skills Instrument-Short Form (HLSI-SF) score <70%). The level of access to and utility of MIL were low, 32.4% and 34.6%, respectively. The main factors associated with poor utility of the MIL were low patient health literacy, lack of guidelines on the use of MIL and MIL written in non-native languages. Conclusion: Low rates of health literacy and utility of MIL were observed among hypertensive patients in Namibia. The integration of health literacy programmes, and MIL guidelines are needed to promote utility of medicine information and improve medication adherence.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Guttersrud ◽  
Christopher Le ◽  
Kjell Sverre Pettersen ◽  
Sølvi Helseth ◽  
Hanne Søberg Finbråten

Abstract Background The self-reported European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is a widely used health literacy measure. Based on confirmatory factor analyses and Rasch-modelling, the short form HLS-Q12 was developed to meet the Rasch unidimensional measurement model expectations. After its publication, there has been a worldwide call to identify HLS-Q12 cut-off scores and establish clearly delineated standards in terms of the skills assessed. This study therefore aims to identify the HLS-Q12 scores associated with statistically distinct levels of proficiency and construct a proficiency scale that expresses progression – what individuals typically know and can do at increasingly more sophisticated levels of health literacy. Methods We applied the unidimensional Rasch measurement model for polytomous items to responses from 900 randomly sampled individuals and 388 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Using Rasch-based item calibration, we constructed a proficiency scale by locating the ordered item thresholds along the scale; by applying Wright’s method for the maximum number of strata, we determined the cut-off scores for significantly different levels. By directly referring to item content that people who reached the cut-off scores view as ‘easy’, we could describe these gradually more advanced levels of health literacy. Results We identified statistically distinct levels of health literacy at the empirically identified cut-off scores 27, 33 and 39 and confirmed them by analysing the responses from individuals with diabetes. Individuals who reach these cumulative benchmarks of marginal, intermediate and advanced literacy can typically access, appraise and apply information relevant to stay healthy, improve health and critically judge health claims and compare treatments, respectively. Conclusions By revealing progression in health literacy, we extended the current models of health literacy and inform policy-makers aiming to bridge literacy gaps. Determining how to best adapt information to patients’ literacy level and thereby assist them in managing their own health is a significant clinical outcome. A substantial methodological consequence is the inevitability of Rasch modelling in measurement. We also found that Wright’s method identified rating scale cut-off scores consistently across independent samples. To unveil sources of potential biases, threats to validity and imprecision of benchmarks, replicating our study in other contexts is required.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (sup3) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla M. Bann ◽  
Lauren A. McCormack ◽  
Nancy D. Berkman ◽  
Linda B. Squiers

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Netemeyer ◽  
David G. Dobolyi ◽  
Ahmed Abbasi ◽  
Gari Clifford ◽  
Herman Taylor

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E. Rudd ◽  
O.R. Groene ◽  
M.D. Navarro-Rubio

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 531-551
Author(s):  
Margaret S. Zimmerman

Purpose Information literacy and health literacy skills are positively correlated with indicators of quality of life. Assessing these literacies, however, can be daunting – particularly with people that may not respond well to prose-based tools. The purpose of this paper is to use information horizons methodology as a metric that may be reflective of literacies. Design/methodology/approach Following a power analysis to insure statistical significance, a sample of 161 participants was recruited from a university population and given formal, vetted measures of information literacy and health literacy and then was asked to create an information horizons map within a health-related context. The information horizons maps were evaluated in two different ways. First, the number of sources was counted. Then, the quality of sources was factored in. Multiple regression analysis was applied to both metrics as independent variables with the other assessments as dependent variables. Anker, Reinhart, and Feeley’s model provided the conceptual framework for the study. Findings Information horizons mapping was not found to have a significant relationship with measures of information literacy. However, there were strong, statistically significant relationships with the measures of health literacy employed in this study. Originality/value Employing information horizons methodology as a means of providing a metric to assess literacies may be helpful in providing a more complete picture of a person’s abilities. While the current assessment tools have value, this method has the potential to provide important information about the health literacy of people who are not traditionally well represented by prose-based measures.


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