Abstract
Objective: To identify the optimal measurement instrument for assessing health literacy in a clinical setting.
Methods: Seven databases were searched for studies evaluating health literacy instruments used with patients. Standardised systematic review methods were used by two reviewers independently assessing eligibility, extracting data and evaluating study quality. A narrative summary was produced.
Results: The searches identified 626 articles of which 64 were eligible. Forty-three different health literacy instruments were identified. The quality of these instruments, based on their psychometric properties, varied considerably. The majority of health literacy instruments were found to only assess communicative health literacy. A problem identified within the systematic review was the inconsistent inclusion of a numeracy measuring element within the health literacy instruments used. The NVS instrument was found to be the most practical health literacy instrument to use.
Conclusion: There is an urgent need to develop and psychometrically test a more encompassing health literacy instrument applicable in clinical settings as well as health promotion in general.
Practice implications: In the absence of a more comprehensive health literacy instrument, the NVS is a practical instrument to quickly assess for health literacy in a clinical setting.
Methods: Seven databases were searched for studies evaluating health literacy instruments used with patients. Standardised systematic review methods were used by two reviewers independently assessing eligibility, extracting data and evaluating study quality. A narrative summary was produced.
Results: The searches identified 626 articles of which 64 were eligible. Forty-three different health literacy instruments were identified. The quality of these instruments, based on their psychometric properties, varied considerably. The majority of health literacy instruments were found to only assess communicative health literacy. A problem identified within the systematic review was the inconsistent inclusion of a numeracy measuring element within the health literacy instruments used. The NVS instrument was found to be the most practical health literacy instrument to use.
Conclusion: There is an urgent need to develop and psychometrically test a more encompassing health literacy instrument applicable in clinical settings as well as health promotion in general.
Practice implications: In the absence of a more comprehensive health literacy instrument, the NVS is a practical instrument to quickly assess for health literacy in a clinical setting.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1295-1307 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Patient Education and Counseling |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| Early online date | 25 Apr 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2015 |
Keywords
- Health literacy
Profiles
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Debi Bhattacharya
- School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology - Honorary Professor
- Patient Care - Member
Person: Honorary, Research Group Member