Maximising health literacy and client recall of clinical information: An exploratory study of clients and speech-language pathologists

Abstract

Limited research has been carried out in the field of speech-language pathology with regard to ways of maximising health literacy and client recall. However, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) frequently provide vast amounts of information that clients need to understand, apply and review in order to manage their (or their child’s) health. This exploratory study aimed to contribute information about ways in which SLPs can overcome low health literacy and poor client recall so that treatment effectiveness is improved. A case-study design was used with specific focus on four clients receiving treatment for dysphagia, voice disorders (including laryngectomies) and cleft lip and/or palate management in Cape Town. Strategies which may be able to maximise health literacy and client recall of clinical information were trialled and evaluated by clients and their SLPs, using semi-structured interviews. The researchers proposed a combination of high-tech strategies which assisted in all the cases. No single solution or universal tool was found that would be appropriate for all. There is a need to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the combined strategies across a wider population, at different stages of rehabilitation and in diverse contexts. Implications and suggestions for future related research are presented.

Instrumentos de avaliação do letramento em saúde: revisão de literatura

“…Such findings corroborate the findings of other studies (8,26,32) . In fact, the majority of studies on validation of health literacy assessment instruments was composed of translations and adaptations of TOFHLA and REALM (22,26,37) .…”

“…This professional's role is of utmost importance because of the close relation between health literacy and the skills of speaking, listening to and understanding oral/written language. Thus, it has been observed that patients with communication disorders clearly experience even greater challenges regarding health literacy (4,8,9) . In the current conjuncture, in which communication among the healthcare system, workers and users must be enhanced (7) , the Speech, Language and Hearing Scienceswhich are specially related to communication -can effectively contribute to improve speech, pragmatic language competences, and hearing, reading and writing skills (4,8,9) .…”

“…In the current conjuncture, in which communication among the healthcare system, workers and users must be enhanced (7) , the Speech, Language and Hearing Scienceswhich are specially related to communication -can effectively contribute to improve speech, pragmatic language competences, and hearing, reading and writing skills (4,8,9) . Despite the close relation between the speech-language pathologist and audiologist's expertise in rehabilitating and improving communicative skills and health literacy (a capacity that depends on the effective use of oral and written language in the dialogic bonds that emerge between users and health professionals), there are few studies in the field of the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences about the theme (4,8,9) . Being familiar with the health literacy assessment instruments is the first step speech-language pathologists and audiologists must take to qualify themselves to work in this important field of activity.…”

Presbifagia, atuação fonoaudiológica e letramento em saúde

“…O número de publicações enfocando o tripé pretendido foi muito baixo. Dentre as 5 publicações identificadas (VON WUHLISCH;PASCOE, 2010;FAVORETTO et al, 2017), responderam plenamente à pergunta norteadora. As demais, foram aqui incluídas, porque de certa forma ajudam a identificar as lacunas referentes à abordagem deste tema, bem como apontam caminhos para estudos futuros.…”

Letramento funcional em saúde em adultos e idosos com disfagia

“…In this context, the communicative and critical levels of the FHL must be considered for therapeutic efficacy. A case study carried out in South Africa, with a 43-year-old patient who presented with oropharyngeal dysphagia and low level of FHL, used high-tech strategies such as audio recordings in the form of CD/cassette, telephone contact, and text message, to maximize the FHL and the recovery of clinical information, with a greater understanding of the therapeutic process and greater motivation to perform the tasks involved in self-care for home rehabilitation (22) . Thus, the speech-language therapist must consider the individual's FHL to promote individualized strategies that guarantee the understanding and adherence to the procedures indicated in the rehabilitation of dysphagia.…”