Assessing the Print Communication and Technology Attributes of an Academic Medical Center

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Education
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Health literacy is a shared responsibility between patients and healthcare systems.
• Patient engagement in healthcare is linked to improved health outcomes.
• Organizational assessment of health literacy is crucial for patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess organizational health literacy at The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC).
• To identify areas for improvement in print communication and technology related to patient education.
• To evaluate the utility of the Health Literacy Environment of Hospitals and Health Centers (HLEHHC) tool.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the HLEHHC Print Communication and Technology Rating Tools.
• Assessed 150 patient education handouts using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool.
• Evaluated UTMC's website for technology-related health literacy aspects.

Main Results:

• The HLEHHC tool effectively assessed print materials and technology.
• Detailed analysis provided actionable insights for improving the healthcare environment.
• Identified specific opportunities for enhancing patient understanding of health information.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare organizations are responsible for improving informed medical decision-making.
• Low health literacy hinders the effectiveness of patient education materials and technology.
• Organizational health literacy assessment is a vital component of quality improvement initiatives.