Health numeracy: Perspectives about using numbers in health management from African American patients receiving dialysis

Abstract

Background Health numeracy is linked to important clinical outcomes. Kidney disease management relies heavily on patient numeracy skills across the continuum of kidney disease care. Little data is available eliciting stakeholder perspectives from patients receiving dialysis about the construct of health numeracy. Methods Using focus groups we asked patients receiving hemodialysis open-ended questions to identify facilitators and barriers to their understanding, interpreting, and applying numeric information in kidney care. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Results Twelve patients participated with a mean (SD) age of 56 (12) years. All were African American, 50% were female and 83% with an annual income < $20,000/year. Although patients felt numbers were critical to every aspect in life, they noted several barriers to understanding, interpreting and applying quantitative information specifically to manage their health. Low patient self-efficacy related to health numeracy and limited patient-provider communication about quantitatively based feedback, were emphasized as key barriers. Conclusions Through focus groups of key patient stakeholders we identified important modifiable barriers to effective kidney care. Additional research is needed to develop tools that support numeracy sensitive education and communication interventions in dialysis.

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