Dataset Information

The relevance of context in understanding health literacy skills: Findings from a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Conceptualizing health literacy as a relational concept, which involves how individuals interact with complex health and social systems, requires a greater understanding of the context of people's health experiences.

Objectives

To describe individuals' experiences of accessing, understanding, appraising and applying health information; explore the barriers and facilitators to using these skills; and to describe the experience of information exchange in health consultations.

Design

A longitudinal qualitative methodology with thematic analysis of interviews was used. Health literacy levels were assessed using the HLS-EU-47-Item Questionnaire. Findings are presented from the first round of data collection.

Setting and participants

Twenty-six participants purposefully selected from a CVD risk reduction programme at three separate time points.

Results

Four key themes identified: using health literacy capacities for managing health; psychological and structural factors that impact on these capacities; and the relationship quality with the health-care provider (HCP). Although limited health literacy was prevalent across the sample (65%), all individuals were very proactive in attempting to utilize health literacy skills. Findings emphasize the importance of contextual factors such as the quality of communication with the health-care provider, perceptions of control, attitudes to family medical history, navigating structural barriers and being supported in managing treatment and medication side-effects.

Discussion and conclusion

Findings are relevant for health-care providers in order to enhance the patient-provider relationship and to ensure optimum health outcomes for all individuals regardless of health literacy levels.

SUBMITTER: McKenna VB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5600250 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The relevance of context in understanding health literacy skills: Findings from a qualitative study.

McKenna Verna B VB Sixsmith Jane J Barry Margaret M MM

Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy 20170412 5

<h4>Background</h4>Conceptualizing health literacy as a relational concept, which involves how individuals interact with complex health and social systems, requires a greater understanding of the context of people's health experiences.<h4>Objectives</h4>To describe individuals' experiences of accessing, understanding, appraising and applying health information; explore the barriers and facilitators to using these skills; and to describe the experience of information exchange in health consultati ...[more]

PMID: 28402013

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Dataset Information

The relevance of context in understanding health literacy skills: Findings from a qualitative study.

Background

Objectives

Design

Setting and participants

Results

Discussion and conclusion

Publications

The relevance of context in understanding health literacy skills: Findings from a qualitative study.

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