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Keyword: communication
Parent Opinions About Use of Text Messaging for Immunization Reminders [US]
Adherence to childhood immunization schedules is a function of various factors. Given the increased use of technology as a strategy to increase immunization coverage, it is important to investigate how parents perceive different forms of communication, including traditional means and text-message reminders. Ahlers-Schmidt et al (2012) sought to examine current forms of communication about immunization information, parents’ satisfaction levels with these communication modes, perceived barriers and benefits to using text messaging, and the ideal content of text messages for immunization reminders. Ahlers-Schmidt et al (2012) found that most parents were satisfied with traditional communication and that the benefits of receiving text messages for immunization reminders far outweighed the barriers identified by parents. Few barriers identified were text specific. Those that were, centered on cost if parents did not have unlimited texting plans.
Low-Literacy Interventions to Promote Discussion of Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Professional organisations recommend that physicians discuss prostate cancer with patients to make individual screening decisions. However, few studies have tested strategies to encourage such discussions, particularly among high-risk populations. Kripalani et al (2007) examined the effects of two low-literacy interventions on the frequency of prostate cancer discussion and screening. It was found that two simple low-literacy interventions significantly increased discussion of prostate cancer and prostate specific antigen test orders, but not performance of digital rectal examinations. Both interventions were effective in empowering low-literacy patients to initiate conversations about prostate cancer with their physician.
Plain Language Thesaurus for Health Communication
This thesaurus (74 pages), from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. The technical terms found in health information can be confusing. This thesaurus is a tool to help you find words that people may understand better.
http://www.plainlanguage.gov/populartopics/health_literacy/Thesaurus_V-10.doc
Health Literacy and Communication Quality in Health Care Organizations
In this study, Wynia & Osborn (2010) explored the relationship between health literacy status and receiving patient-centered communication in clinics and hospitals serving communication-vulnerable patient populations. The authors' results suggest that improving communication quality in health care organizations might help to address the challenges facing patients with limited health literacy.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730.2010.499981
Using the teach-back and Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory to increase childhood immunization communication among low-income mothers
The purpose of this study by Wilson et al (2008) was to assess the relationship between maternal health literacy and the mother's ability to comprehend and communicate information about childhood immunizations. Communication is the key to positive health results, particularly for patients with low literacy skills, yet few studies have examined patients' ability to converse about health information taught to them by providers. The found that the inconsistency of the mothers' responses to communicate critical immunization information about vaccines indicates the need to further assess how best to increase parents' vaccine knowledge and communication skills.
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01460860701877142
Health Literacy among Parents of Pediatric Patients
The objective of this study by Tran et al (2008) was to measure the prevalence of health literacy in parents or guardians of pediatric patients seen in the emergency department (ED). They conclude that a large majority (89.5%) of English-speaking parents or guardians of pediatric patients evaluated in the ED have adequate health literacy. This data may prompt ED professionals to adjust their communication styles in the evaluation of children.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672260/?tool=pmcentrez
Language, Literacy, and Communication Regarding Medication in an Anticoagulation Clinic: A Comparison of Verbal vs. Visual Assessment
Despite the importance of clinician-patient communication for safe medication management, little is known about rates and predictors of medication miscommunication. Schillinger et al (2007) performed a study among long-term warfarin users in an anticoagulation clinic to assess concordance between patient and clinician reports of patient warfarin regimens. They concluded that clinician-patient discordance regarding patients' warfarin regimen was common, but occurred less frequently when patients identified their regimen with a visual aid.
Cancer Risk Communication with Low Health Literacy Patients: A Continuing Medical Education Program
The objective of this paper by Price-Haywood et al (2010) describe a continuing medical education program to teach primary care physicians cancer risk communication and shared decision-making with low health literacy patients and baseline skills assessment. The baseline skills assessment suggests a need for physician training in cancer risk communication and shared decision making for patients with low health literacy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847095/?tool=pmcentrez
Media Messages About Cancer: What Do People Understand?
The objective of this study by Mazor et al (2010) was to investigate whether people understood the spoken information in media messages about cancer prevention and screening. They found that variability in the public's ability to understand spoken media messages may limit the effectiveness of both pubic health campaigns and provider–patient communication.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730.2010.499983
Health Literacy and the Quality of Physician-Patient Communication During Hospitalization
This article by Kripalani et al (2010) analyzed patients’ ratings of the quality of physician-patient communication during hospitalization and how this varies by health literacy. The authors conclude that physicians received relatively poor ratings on their Consideration of patients’ desire and ability to comply with recommendations. Patients with inadequate health literacy experienced lower quality and clarity of hospital communication along multiple domains.
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