Improving readability of patient education materials

Area of Science:

• Health Literacy
• Patient Education
• Community Health Nursing

Background:

• Functional illiteracy poses significant risks to patient health due to difficulties in understanding medical instructions.
• Health literacy challenges are exacerbated for patients with limited English proficiency.
• Effective patient education materials (PEMs) are crucial for managing chronic conditions like asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a systematic process for adapting and creating patient education materials (PEMs) to meet diverse patient needs.
• To improve the readability and comprehensibility of PEMs for populations with low literacy and limited English proficiency.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of revised PEMs in enhancing patient understanding and adherence to health management plans.

Main Methods:

• A process for revising existing PEMs was developed and applied to an asthma management program.
• Materials were assessed for readability and comprehensibility, targeting parents reading at a 5th-grade level with English as a second language.
• Extensive editing and revision of the PEMs were conducted.
• The effectiveness of the revised PEMs was evaluated.

Main Results:

• The revision process involved detailed assessment, editing, and evaluation of patient education materials.
• Extensive modifications were necessary to meet the needs of the target population.
• The study focused on improving home management of asthma for school-age children and their parents.

Conclusions:

• A structured approach to revising patient education materials is effective in addressing functional illiteracy and language barriers.
• Improved PEMs can enhance patient comprehension and adherence to treatment plans.
• Community health nurses play a vital role in ensuring health information is accessible to diverse patient groups.