Health literacy in Israel – from measurement to intervention: Two case studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Diane Levin-Zamir ◽  
Orna Baron-Epel
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Community Media ◽  
Cultural Appropriateness ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Health Literacy Measurement ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Broad Approach

This report focuses on opportunities, challenges and outcomes of health literacy related interventions in Israel, based on health literacy measurement. The importance of a system’s and community approaches are discussed, as is cultural appropriateness. Two case studies are highlighted - the first on childhood immunization and the second on self-management of chronic health situations. In the second example, a combination of community, media, digital, and face-to-face interventions comprise a broad approach to intervention. The impact and some findings are presented, including conclusions derived from each initiative.

Health literacy education: the impact of synchronous instruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tricia Lantzy
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Literacy Education ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Face To Face Instruction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Synchronous Online

Purpose This paper aims to examine the integration of librarian-led health literacy instruction into an undergraduate course, focusing specifically on how the method of instruction impacts learning outcomes and self-reported confidence levels in completing a course assignment. Undergraduate students struggle to critically evaluate online health information in an increasingly diffuse information landscape. Assessing the success of different instructional techniques aimed at building these abilities can guide pedagogical choices and provide new opportunities to increase health literacy skills in a variety of library user populations. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental research design with pre- and post-tests and a participant survey was used to compare one-shot information literacy instruction techniques in two hybrid sections of a kinesiology course. One class received a traditional, face-to-face librarian-led session and the other a synchronous online instructional session through web conferencing. Findings There were no significant differences in student learning between the in-person and online groups. Students in both conditions demonstrated an extremely significant increase from pre-test to post-test scores, suggesting that librarian-led instruction in either format can lead to substantial learning of online health literacy skills. Survey results showed no significant differences in confidence levels following instruction and suggest that both methods of instruction provide a positive learning experience for students. Originality/value This study provides evidence that synchronous online instruction can be as effective as face-to-face instruction in teaching students to evaluate health-related information resources. These findings are valuable for librarians in a variety of settings who are considering providing health literacy education in an online environment.

scholarly journals Quality of Life in Women with Urinary Incontinence Seeking Care Using E-Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Åström ◽  
Ina Asklund ◽  
Anna Lindam ◽  
Malin Sjöström
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
International Consultation ◽  
Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Quality of life (QoL) in women with urinary incontinence (UI) is mainly affected by severity of UI, but also by, for example, UI subtype, comorbidity, age, and socioeconomic status. Using e-health to provide treatment for UI is a new method. In this study we investigate what factors have the highest impact on QoL in women who turned to e-health for self-management of UI. Methods Baseline data from three randomized controlled trials (RCT) for evaluating e-health treatments for UI were used, including 373 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and 123 women with urgency/mixed UI (UUI/MUI). All participants were recruited online, with no face-to-face contact. We used the questionnaires International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) to measure UI severity, and ICIQ Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) to measure condition-specific QoL. To evaluate factors impacting on QoL, a linear regression model was used. Results The mean ICIQ-LUTSqol score was 34.9 (SD 7.6). The ICIQ-UI SF score (0-21) affected the ICIQ-LUTSqol (19-76), with an adjusted mean increase of 1.5 for each 1.0 increase in the overall ICIQ-UI SF score (p <0.001). UUI/MUI gave an adjusted mean increase of 2.5 in ICIQ-LUTSqol score compared with SUI (p <0.001). Conclusion As in women seeking other methods of care for UI, a decreased QoL was found in those who turned to e-health for self-management of UI. The impact of condition-specific factors on their QoL was slightly lower than that of women with UI who sought help in ordinary care, suggesting that e-health might reach a new group of women in need of treatment. Severity of the leakage had greater impact on QoL than type of UI.

scholarly journals ‘It feels it’s wasting whatever time I’ve got left’: A qualitative study of living with treatable but not curable cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110494
Author(s):  
Eloise Radcliffe ◽  
Aysha Khan ◽  
David Wright ◽  
Richard Berman ◽  
Sara Demain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
Living With Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Risk Reducing

Background: People living with cancer that is treatable but not curable have complex needs, often managing health at home, supported by those close to them. Challenges are likely to be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk-reducing measures introduced in response. The impact of COVID-19 on those living with incurable, life-threatening conditions is little understood. Aim: To investigate the experiences and identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with treatable not curable cancer and their informal carers. Design: Qualitative semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 21 patients living with cancer that is treatable but not curable and 14 carers. Setting/ participants: Participants were part of a larger longitudinal qualitative study (ENABLE) on supported self-management for people living with cancer that is treatable but not curable. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic magnified uncertainty and anxiety and led to loss of opportunities to do things important to patients in the limited time they have left to live. Lack of face-to-face contact with loved ones had a significant impact on patients’ and carers’ emotional wellbeing. Carers experienced increased responsibilities but less access to formal and informal support and respite. While changes to treatment led to some concern about longer-term impact on health, most patients felt well-supported by healthcare teams. Conclusion: The study provides rich insights into the nature of challenges, uncertainty and lost opportunities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic for patients and carers living with cancer that is treatable but not curable, which has wider resonance for people living with other life-limiting conditions.

Self-Management of Epilepsy

2017 ◽  
pp. 319-339
Author(s):  
Janice M. Buelow ◽  
W. Henry Smithson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Life Choices ◽  
Psychological Strain ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Epilepsy is a stigmatizing condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures that can restrict life choices, lead to a reduced quality of life, and psychological strain. Self-management can be defined as the sum of steps needed to gain seizure control, to minimize the impact of living with epilepsy, and to maximize quality of life. The individual with epilepsy has to manage much more than just medication: they have to know about diagnosis and treatment, the best ways to manage the condition, and ways of maintaining psychosocial functioning. This chapter uses case studies and literature to describe various coping strategies and interventions to enhance self-management for people with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Impact of patients’ judgment skills on asthma self-management: a pilot study

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Moreno Londoño ◽  
Peter J. Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Asthma Control Test ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Asthma Patients ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

<em>Background</em>. The majority of current health literacy tools assess functional skills including reading, writing, and numeracy. Although these tools have been able to underline the impact of such skills on individuals’ health behaviour, there is a need for comprehensive measures to examine more advanced skills. The individual’s ability to use health-related information considering his/her own health context, and judging positive and negative consequences of their decisions has been conceptualized as judgment skills. The present study used a newly developed judgment skills tool to explore asthma self-management practices. <br /><em>Design</em> <em>and</em> <em>methods</em>. Eighty asthma patients were recruited from medical offices during the year 2013. The questionnaire was self-administered and contained health literacy questions, the judgment skill tool, the Asthma Control Test, and several self-management questions.<br /><em>Results</em>. Sixty-nine percent of participants had adequate health literacy, while 24% and 5% had marginal and inadequate levels, respectively. The high-judgment group referred more to their doctor when experiencing asthma problems <em>t</em>(76)=−2.18, P&lt;0.032; complied more with the use of their control medicine<em> t</em>(77)=−3.24, P&lt;0.002 and went more regularly to the doctor <em>t</em>(78)=−1.80, P&lt;0.038 (one-tailed) than the low-judgment group.<br /><em>Conclusions</em>. The judgment skills tool can help identify asthma patients’ health information use and reveal how this use may affect some self-management practices.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program on Health Literacy: A Pre-Post Study Using a Multi-Dimensional Health Literacy Instrument

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Marie Muscat ◽  
Wenbo Song ◽  
Erin Cvejic ◽  
Jie Hua Cecilia Ting ◽  
Joanne Medlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Diverse Area ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

This study assessed the impact of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) on different domains of health literacy using a pre-post study design. Participants aged over 16 years and with one or more self-reported chronic diseases were recruited for the CDSMP in western Sydney (a highly diverse area of New South Wales, Australia) between October 2014 and September 2018. Health literacy was assessed pre- and immediately post-intervention using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), with differences in mean scores for each HLQ domain analysed using paired sample t-tests. A total of 486 participants were recruited into the CDSMP. Of those, 316 (65.0%) completed both pre- and post-intervention surveys and were included in the analysis. The median age of the participants was 68 years, the majority were female (62.5%), and most were born in a country other than Australia (80.6%). There were statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvements across all nine domains of the HLQ. This is the first study evaluating the potential impact of the CDSMP on improving different domains of health literacy amongst a diverse sample of participants with chronic diseases using a multi-dimensional instrument. The absence of a control population in this study warrants caution when interpreting the results.

scholarly journals Beyond Reading and Understanding: Health Literacy as the Capacity to Act

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jany Rademakers ◽  
Monique Heijmans
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Patient Centered Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Capacity To Act ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
The Impact

Many health literacy interventions have a limited focus on functional/cognitive skills. In psychosocial models, the capacity to act however is seen as a major driver of behavioural change. This aspect is often lacking in health literacy concepts. In this study, we examine the impact of both aspects of health literacy (functional/cognitive and capacity to act) on specific healthcare outcomes (healthcare use, experiences with patient-centered care, shared-decision making, and self-management). In a sample of a national panel of people with a chronic disease (NPCD), questions about health literacy, patient activation, and outcomes were asked. The results indicated that 39.9% had limited HL levels and 36.9% had a low activation score. Combined, 22.7% of the sample scored low on both aspects, whereas 45.8% had adequate levels on both. Patients who score low on both use more healthcare and have less positive experiences with patient-centered care, shared decision making, and self-management. Patients who have adequate competency levels in both respects have the best outcomes. Both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of health literacy are important, and they enhance each other. The capacity to act is especially important for the extent to which people feel able to self-manage.

scholarly journals The impact of health literacy on diabetes self-management education

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Vandenbosch ◽  
Stephan Van den Broucke ◽  
Louise Schinckus ◽  
Peter Schwarz ◽  
Gerardine Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Self Management ◽  
The Impact
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document