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Any Questions? Understanding the Functional Health Literacy in Patients Who Underwent Ureteroscopy
Katelyn A Spencer1, Eric R Wahlstedt1, Kathleen E Upton1
1University of Kentucky, Department of Urology, Lexington, KY.
Urology
|November 5, 2023
Summary
Patient health literacy impacts understanding of ureteroscopy procedures. Gaps in patient education persist, particularly regarding stent use, pain, and purpose, necessitating improved communication strategies.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Health Literacy Research
- Patient Education
Background:
- Health literacy is crucial for patient comprehension of medical procedures.
- Ureteroscopy is a common urological intervention requiring patient understanding.
- Current patient education for ureteroscopy may have significant gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess health literacy in patients undergoing ureteroscopy.
- To identify deficiencies in current patient education for this procedure.
- To improve the preoperative patient experience through tailored education.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 18 patients.
- In-depth semistructured interviews.
- Test of Functional Health Literacy for Adults (TOFHLA) assessment.
- Grounded theory analysis of transcribed interviews.
Main Results:
- Average TOFHLA score was 88.1 ± 11.7.
- All patients understood basic ureteroscopy concepts.
- Key knowledge gaps identified regarding stent use, purpose, and pain (72.2% of participants).
- Positive aspects included nontechnical language, repetition, and prior healthcare experiences.
Conclusions:
- Functional health literacy is important but not the sole determinant of patient comprehension.
- While basic ureteroscopy information is conveyed, stent-related education requires enhancement.
- Further research and refined educational strategies are needed to ensure true patient understanding of ureteroscopy and associated stents.