Nurses' knowledge of health literacy, communication techniques, and barriers to the implementation of health literacy programs: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Nurses' health literacy knowledge and communication skills are essential for improving patients' health literacy. Yet, research on nurses' health literacy knowledge and perception is limited. The study aimed to evaluate nurses' health literacy knowledge, communication techniques, and barriers to the implementation of health literacy interventions. A cross‐sectional study was used, and a total of 1697 nurses in 104 community hospitals in Thailand completed self‐report measures. Approximately 55% of the participants had heard about the concept of health literacy; 9% had received formal training specific to interaction with patients with low health literacy. About 50% of the nurses were aware of their patients' low health literacy; therefore, they applied the recommended communication techniques for them. Delivery of effective health literacy training was hampered by a lack of assessment tools, health literacy training and specialists, educational materials, and health provider time. Hospital administrators, nurse managers, health leaders should develop strategies to create environments and resources supporting health literacy interventions.

Nursing students’ understanding of health literacy and health practices: a cross-sectional study at a university in Namibia

“…The researchers developed their self-administered questionnaire (Understanding of Health Literacy) based on extensive literature that included the definitions of health literacy and existing health literacy tools [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 38 ]. From the existing literacy tools only those aspects measuring understanding of health literacy were extracted.…”

“…Researchers’ interest in health literacy (HL) has grown rapidly over the years [ 2 ], however their focus of late has shifted from assessing HL among the general population to HL among healthcare professionals [ 3 , 4 ]. Studies show that researchers generally measured healthcare professionals’ HL in a similar way to the general population [ 5 , 6 ] However, there is a need for health professionals to understand HL from a professional perspective and explore how their understanding relates to their health practices (HP). The emphasis of healthcare professionals’ education should be on how to enhance and increase their understanding of HL, because many studies have demonstrated that nursing professionals do not possess the required levels of HL [ 7 – 9 ].…”

“…Addressing the problem of poor HL levels globally should start with a nursing education that develops the HL skills of students [ 6 ]. Currently not all nursing education programmes include a HL component in their curricula.…”

A radiation therapist’s guide to health literacy: A narrative review

“…Time constraint is a common barrier reported by HCPs. 10 , 11 , 41 , 45 , 46 , 47 Time allocation for patient‐related tasks is generally standardised and usually developed over time using pre‐existing data. For example, completing a breast treatment takes typically 15 minutes.…”

Nursing Students’ Health Literacy Level and Health Practices: a Cross Sectional Study at a University in Namibia

“…Addressing the problem of health literacy globally should start with nursing education that develops health literacy skills of nursing student [20]. Currently not all nursing education programmes include a health literacy component in the curriculum.…”