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Registered Nurses' Experiences With Individuals With Low Health Literacy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Coleen E Toronto1, Barbara Weatherford
1Coleen E. Toronto, MSN, RN, CNE, is Doctoral Student, College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, and Assistant Professor, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts. Barbara Weatherford, PhD, RN, CNE, is Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth.
Journal for Nurses in Professional Development
|January 23, 2016
Summary
Nurses effectively promote patient health literacy using evidence-based strategies. However, healthcare organizations often lack crucial cultural and linguistic resources, creating significant barriers to care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Health Literacy
- Patient Education
Background:
- The nursing profession is essential for patient communication and education.
- Health literacy is a critical factor in patient outcomes and understanding health information.
- Nurses play a pivotal role in assessing and addressing patient health literacy levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore nurses' experiences interacting with patients exhibiting low health literacy.
- To identify evidence-based strategies nurses employ to promote health literacy.
- To understand the systemic barriers nurses face in supporting patients with low health literacy.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative descriptive study design was utilized.
- The study focused on nurses' direct experiences and perceptions.
- Data were collected through qualitative methods exploring nurse-patient interactions.
Main Results:
- Nurses actively implement various evidence-based strategies to enhance patient health literacy.
- Significant barriers include a lack of adequate cultural and linguistic resources within healthcare settings.
- Identified gaps in nursing education and systemic issues impede effective health literacy support.
Conclusions:
- Nursing professional development specialists can use these findings to address educational gaps.
- Healthcare organizations must improve cultural and linguistic resources to support nurses.
- Addressing systemic barriers is crucial for optimizing nursing care and patient health literacy.
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