Educational innovations in the approach of outpatients to improve health literacy

Abstract

Objective: To propose new approaches to improve patients’ health literacy to the treatment for functional dyspepsia and gastritis. Methods: This is a prospective study with a pre- and post-educational intervention. Patients had their first consultation with the physician and answered the pre-educational intervention questionnaire. Guidance texts and videos were sent to the patients for 3 weeks after the consultation. Finally, patients return to the consultation with the physician and answered to the second questionnaire after the educational intervention. Results: The sample included 50 patients, 35 female patients (70%). The average age was 55.7 years (15.3 SD). In the post-intervention questionnaire, 82% of patients improved their clinical condition with the treatment, 44% recognized that dietary changes are important for symptoms improvement, 98% of patients understood the videos, 74% of patients believe that the educational intervention could be used for other specialties and 90% of patients would recommend this method for other specialties. Conclusion: Patient education is an important strategy for a better understanding of their disease and, possibly, improves adherence to their treatment. Besides that, this study used educational tools through guidance texts and educational videos that can be used in clinical practice. This is an easily, accessible and inexpensive tool for health literacy.