Health literacy training for Australian home care workers: Enablers and barriers (original) (raw)
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Health literacy support for Australian home-based care recipients: A role for homecare workers?
Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 2019
Clear links have been established between low health literacy (HL) levels and poor health outcomes. One means of improvement may be found in the rapidly growing paid homecare workforce, whose direct and frequent contact with aged/disabled care recipients positions them to provide HL support. This study examines Australian homecare worker (HCW) experiences in HL when providing assistance to their care recipients. A self-reported crosssectional survey collected data from 75 HCWs. They reported concerns about their clients' HL, yet were cautious about providing support in this area. HL levels of the HCWs themselves were unconvincing, and the majority requested targeted education and training. Further research is needed into HL levels of both HCWs and care recipients, client demographics, the types of HL support being requested of HCWs, a more detailed scoping of the HCW role, and the curriculum and pedagogies which may comprise a HL education and training program for HCWs.
‘Older Person Health Literacy Support: A Role for Homecare Workers?
2018
Approximately 60% of Australian adults do not have adequate levels of health literacy (HL) to manage their own health and health care. There are clear links between low HL levels and poor health outcomes, and ‘at risk’ groups include people with cognitive impairment and the elderly. One means of improvement may be found in the rapidly growing paid homecare workforce, whose direct and frequent contact with older Australians (i.e., clients) positions them to provide extensive HL support. This two-phase study examines homecare worker (HCW) experiences in health literacy when providing assistance to their clients. In Phase One, a self-reported cross-sectional survey collected data from 75 HCWs in two Australian homecare organisations. To further explore survey responses, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were held with nine HCWs in Phase Two. Overall, HCWs in the study reported being regularly asked by their clients for HL support e.g., health advice, attending appointments, health ...
Health Literacy: Adult Learning Proposal
Low health literacy adds 3 to 5% to the total cost of health care each year. That is an estimated 114 billion dollars each year or 270to270 to 270to470 per person in the United States. Healthcare is becoming more consumer-focused placing responsibility for health care knowledge on the consumer (Clarke, 1991; Noble, 1991, DHHS, 2010). Yet 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty navigating healthcare information (DHHS, 2010). This indicates that there are contradictory assumptions regarding consumer’s health literacy skills and knowledge (DHHS, 2010). DHHS (2010) noted that health care providers do not receive much formal training about communicating health care information, especially when working with people who have literacy limitations. In response to DHHS findings and goals two, six, and seven of the national action plan to improve health literacy, the implementation of a health literacy staff development program for nurses is proposed.
Health Literacy in Primary Health Care
Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2007
Health literacy is fundamental if people are to successfully manage their own health. This requires a range of skills and knowledge about health and health care, including finding, understanding, interpreting and communicating health information, seeking of appropriate care and making critical health decisions. A primary health system that is appropriate and universally accessible requires an active agenda based on research of approaches to address low health literacy, while health care providers should be alert to the widespread problems of health literacy which span all age levels. This article reviews the progress made in Australia on health literacy in primary health care since health literacy was included in Australia's health goals and targets in the mid-1990s. A database search of published literature was conducted to identify existing examples of health literacy programs in Australia. Considerable work has been done on mental health literacy, and research into chronic disease self-management with CALD communities, which includes health literacy, is under way. However, the lack of breadth in research has led to a knowledge base that is patchy. The few Australian studies located on health literacy research together with the data about general literacy in Australia suggests the need for much more work to be done to increase our knowledge base about health literacy, in order to develop appropriate resources and tools to manage low health literacy in primary health settings.
Background. Health literacy is the ability to access, understand, and use information and services for good health. Among people with chronic conditions, health literacy requirements for effective self-management are high. The Optimising Health Literacy and Access (Ophelia) study engaged diverse organisations in the codesign of interventions involving the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) needs assessment, followed by development and evaluation of interventions addressing identified needs. This study reports the process and outcomes of one of the nine organisations, the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Methods. Participants were home nursing clients with diabetes. The intervention included tailored diabetes self-management education according to preferred learning style, a standardised diabetes education tool, resources, and teach-back method. Results. Needs analysis of 113 quota-sampled clients showed difficulties managing health and finding and appraising health information. The service-wide diabetes education intervention was applied to 24 clients. The intervention was well received by clients and nurses. Positive impacts on clients' diabetes knowledge and behaviour were seen and nurses reported clear benefits to their practice. Conclusion. A structured method that supports healthcare services to codesign interventions that respond to the health literacy needs of their clients can lead to evidence-informed, sustainable practice changes that support clients to better understand effective diabetes self-management.
Registered Nurses' Knowledge of and Experience with Health Literacy
HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
Background: Limited skill in health literacy is a global issue. Variation in health literacy skills within societies is a source of health inequality unless health care providers apply health literacy practices to effectively communicate with all clients. Objective: This study examined Iranian registered nurses' knowledge of and experience with health literacy practices. Methods: This cross-sectional study provides a quantitative description of knowledge of and experience with health literacy practices. Using a rigorous process, we adapted the Health Literacy Knowledge and Experience Survey to collect data from the participants, who were 190 registered nurses working in Tehran, Iran. Key Results: Findings identify gaps in participants' knowledge and experience with health literacy practices. Knowledge deficits are most noticeable in standards to create written materials, screening tools to identify limited health literacy, and the Teach-Back strategies to determine people's understanding. Limited experience is prominent in using health literacy screening tools, evaluating written health information, and applying technologies to provide health information. Our multivariate analysis suggests participants who reported more interaction with health care professionals for personal reasons scored higher in knowledge of health literacy practices. Conclusions: This study indicated that registered nurses in Iran do not have adequate knowledge and experience regarding health literacy practices. Addressing this issue is fundamental to promoting health equity. Future investigations should identify both barriers and facilitators for nurses to apply health literacy practices. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2019;3(4):e268-e279.] Plain Language Summary: Health literacy practices enable health care professionals to offer understandable health information to all people and contribute to health equity. We surveyed 190 registered nurses in Iran to assess their knowledge of and experience with health literacy practices. The findings will be a guide to create interventions to improve registered nurses' knowledge of these practices and to use them to communicate clearly with clients. Providing quality care for all people regardless of their personal characteristics, such as gender, age, social status, geographic location, and socioeconomic status, is a fundamental objective for health care systems (Marmot, 2013). Health literacy, which is defined as the ability to access, understand, and apply health information, is one of the determinants of health (Pelikan, Ganahl, & Roethlin, 2018). Limited health literacy is prevalent in vulnerable populations such as older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, people living with chronic illnesses, and those with less education (Paasche-Orlow, Parker, Gazmararian, Nielsen-Bohlman, & Rudd, 2005; Schaeffer, Berens, & Vogt, 2017). People with limited health literacy usually have poor health outcomes and an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality (Berkman,
Health Literacy among Non-Familial Caregivers of Older Adults: A Study Conducted in Tuscany (Italy)
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019
Many older adults who live at home depend on a caregiver. When familial support cannot provide the necessary care, paid caregivers are frequently hired. Health literacy (HL) is the knowledge and competence required of people to meet the complex demands of health in modern society. The aim of this study is to assess the HL level of paid non-familial caregivers who were enrolled through two different sources: from the homes of assisted people in two Tuscan health districts (first sample) and during job interviews in a home care agency operating in Florence (second sample). The two different recruitment contexts allow us to provide a broader view of the phenomenon, presenting a picture of the HL level of those who are already working and those who are looking for a new job in this field. One-on-one face-to-face interviews, which include the administration of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) to measure HL, were conducted. Recruitment resulted in 84 caregivers in the first sample and 68 in th...
Predictors of health literacy in community-dwelling elderly
Social Health and Behavior
Introduction: Health literacy is an essential factor for self-care of chronic conditions and maintenance of health and wellness. This research examines whether or not sociodemographic factors predict health literacy in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 250 elderly individuals residing in Qazvin, Iran, who were selected by cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the sociodemographic and Health Literacy for Iranian Adults questionnaires. A multivariate regression model was used for analyzing the data. Results: The mean age of 250 elderly people participated in the study was 69.42 ± 6.81 years. Based on the findings of the current study, the majority of the elderly participants had insufficient (n = 79, 31.6%) or not enough (n = 69, 27.6%) health literacy. The results also indicated that good economic status (B = 5.75, standard error (SE) = 2.19, P = 0.009) and living with a spouse (B = −8.75, SE = 3.36, P = 0.010) were associated with higher health literacy. However, having no formal education (B = −26.73, SE = 3.42, P < 0.001) or under diploma education (B = −8.03, SE = 2.53, P = 0.002) and being homemaker (B = −10.58, SE = 3.02, P = 0.001) or unemployed (B = −5.22, SE = 3.13, P = 0.036) were associated with lower health literacy. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of using appropriate strategies for promoting the health literacy of elderly people.
Inadequate Health Literacy Among Paid Caregivers of Seniors
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2011
Background Many seniors rely on paid non-familial caregivers to maintain their independence at home. Caregivers often assist with medication reminding and activities of daily living. No prior studies have examined the health literacy levels among paid non-familial caregivers. Objectives To determine health literacy levels and the health-related responsibilities of paid non-familial caregivers of seniors. Design One-on-one face-to-face surveys. The Test for Functional Health Literacy (TOFHLA) was administered to identify health literacy levels. Caregivers were asked to demonstrate their skill in medication use by following directions on pill bottles and sorting medications into pill boxes. Participants Ninety-eight paid unrelated caregivers of seniors recruited at physician offices, caregiver agencies, senior shopping areas, and independent living facilities. Results Average age of caregivers was 49.5 years, and 86.7% were female. Inadequate health literacy was found in 35.7% of caregivers; 60.2% of all caregivers made errors with the pillbox test medications, showing difficulty in following label directions. Health-related tasks (i.e., medication reminding, sorting, dispensing, and accompanying seniors to physician appointments) were performed by 85.7% of caregivers. The mean age of their seniors was 83.9 years (range 65–99 years), and 82.1% were female. Conclusion Paid non-familial caregivers are essential for many seniors to remain independent and maintain their health. Many caregivers perform health-related duties, but over 1/3 have inadequate health literacy and have difficulties following medication-related instructions. Educating caregivers and ascertaining their health literacy levels prior to assigning health-related tasks may be an important process in providing optimal care to seniors.