Authored by Cristina Vaz De Almeida*
Abstract
Introduction: Inadequate health literacy is pervasive in all segments of society. Communication improves the mission of health professional and open the door for better health outcomes.
Objectives: The objective of this study it’s to evaluate the results of better health communication in the health relationship between health professional and patient and analyse the importance of the use of the Model of Health Communication, ACP Model (Assertivity – Clarity – Positivity)
Methods: An exploratory study was conducted comprising 5 focus group with key health professionals, with expertise on health literacy (N = 30) composed by medical doctors and nurses, to explore the health professionals’ perception of communication to increase health literacy on patients. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods with content analysis and individual profound interviews. The focus group was based on a semi-structured script, with five areas focusing on the importance of communication skills and the communicational process within the therapeutic relationship.
Results: The groups were unanimous in the importance of health professionals developing communication competences, to enhance patient health literacy levels. The literature confirms the results of all focus group of this health professionals and experts on health literacy. The groups considered the ACP Model a very good and useful good instrument to enhance communication in the relationship.
Health Literacy: A Multidimensional Construct
Inadequate health literacy is pervasive in all segments of society. Communication improves the mission of health professional and open the door for better health outcomes
Health literacy is a relatively new concept and a complex phenomenon with critical importance in the health field. The term has been used in the health literature for at least five decades [1] responding to society changes and the growing demand for healthcare services.
Its concept is not consensual. Different perspectives have emerged, depending on the context and desired aim, reflecting this way, the complexity of its construct, and stationary and dynamic character. From the 90’s the concept arose from the interest between illiteracy and health conditions derived from clinical care and public health, with a major relevance on the latter, within the range of health promotion and education [2].
Health literacy is closely related to literacy and numeracy, health promotion and education, informational communication, and sociocultural features, being considered among others, one of the health literacy crucial indicators [3-4].
Traditionally it referred to literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge, such as reading, writing, speaking, listening and numeracy, basic skills to be able to function effectively in everyday situations, but necessary competences for the health literacy, to understanding health information, communication and on how to use the health system provide by health care entities [5].
Health literacy involves cognitive, psychological and behavioral components such as people’s knowledge, motivation and skills. These behaviors allow access, processing, understanding and use of health information and navigability in the health system.
These dimensions allow people to be able to make assessments and make decisions in everyday life about health care, disease prevention and health promotion
The goal of health literacy is to maintain or improve quality of life throughout the life cycle [4]. Health literacy integrates other skills such as health knowledge, health-related experience, health beliefs, the ability of motivation and self-motivation, self-efficacy that enables the ability to act and decision-making about health. Health literacy integrates other skills such as health knowledge, health-related experience, health beliefs, the ability of motivation and self-motivation, self-efficacy that enables the ability to act and decision-making about health
Health literacy depends mainly of basic skills literacy and its improvement isn´t only related with an increase in the transmission of information but moreover with the development of competencies that are fundamental for the empowerment of individuals [6].
Also, Sorensen and colleagues [4] advocate that health literacy “is an asset for improving people`s empowerment within the domains of healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion”, and in turn, the health literacy “influence the health behaviour, the use of health service, and thereby will also impact of health outcomes and on the health cost in society [4].
One of the first to describe the concept of empowerment defined it in the easiest way – in its absence – powerlessness and loss of sense of control [7]. This concept defined positively makes it more difficult as it is different for each person and context [7].
Empowerment has become a widely used concept in healthcare but is difficult to define. Findings about the defined attributes of this concept are consistent with the principles of patient centred care, where the healthcare providers adopt a partnership with patients that is respectful and supports informed patient decision-making [8]. Chew, Bradley and Boyko [9] and Parikh and colleagues [10] says that obstacles to routine screening patient health literacy exist, because patients are often ashamed of their low health literacy.
In the field of health education, it is accepted that empowerment is simultaneously an intra and interpersonal process that refers to strengthen individuals’ capacity to control their own health [11]. As an interpersonal process it relies heavily on communication between the provider and patient.
To read more about this article...Open access Journal of Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology
Please follow the URL to access more information about this article
To know more about our Journals....Iris Publishers
To know about Open Access Publishers
No comments:
Post a Comment