Educating Low Literacy Clients About the Professions Using E- Health Technology Silvia Martinez, Ed. D., CCC-SLP, PI Tara Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP, Doctoral Student Martine Ellie, M. S., CCC-SLP, Doctoral Student Howard University

Collaborators Janice Trent, M. A. CCC-A,Janice Trent, M. A. CCC-A, Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic Margarita Bautista-Vigas, M. A. CCC-S, Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language DisordersMargarita Bautista-Vigas, M. A. CCC-S, Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders

Learner Outcomes Describe different health barriers among minorities as described by Healthy People 2000/2010 and impact to the professionsDescribe different health barriers among minorities as described by Healthy People 2000/2010 and impact to the professions Summarize literacy issues as they relate to patient education and methods to address themSummarize literacy issues as they relate to patient education and methods to address them

Learner Outcomes Describe how to develop and use web- based materials to educate patients regarding nature of communication, communication disorders and treatment approachesDescribe how to develop and use web- based materials to educate patients regarding nature of communication, communication disorders and treatment approaches

Healthy People 2000/2010

Access to Health Care Leading Health IndicatorsLeading Health Indicators Health insuranceHealth insurance Higher income levelsHigher income levels Regular primary care provider or other source of ongoing health careRegular primary care provider or other source of ongoing health care

Health Disparities

Barriers to Access Financial BarriersFinancial Barriers Structural BarriersStructural Barriers Personal BarriersPersonal Barriers or call

Structural Barriers Lack of Service Providers to meet the needs of clients Only 2.5% of Speech-Language Pathologists and 1.8% of Audiologists identify their ethnicity as HispanicOnly 2.5% of Speech-Language Pathologists and 1.8% of Audiologists identify their ethnicity as Hispanic Not all Hispanic professionals are Spanish proficientNot all Hispanic professionals are Spanish proficient

Structural Barriers Time demands of service providers, and particularly of those serving bilingual populations preclude them from entirely meeting all of their clients individual needsTime demands of service providers, and particularly of those serving bilingual populations preclude them from entirely meeting all of their clients individual needs

Personal Barriers Language barriersLanguage barriers Lack of knowledge about health proceduresLack of knowledge about health procedures

Language Barriers Barriers caused by low literacy rates in immigrant Hispanics and African Americans because of inadequate education attainment in Spanish and/or EnglishBarriers caused by low literacy rates in immigrant Hispanics and African Americans because of inadequate education attainment in Spanish and/or English Barriers faced with Hispanics because of their limited oral English proficiencies or limited Spanish proficiencies in service providersBarriers faced with Hispanics because of their limited oral English proficiencies or limited Spanish proficiencies in service providers

Literacy and Patient Education

An exercise

Literacy Issues The Center for Health Care Strategies has estimated that minorities and immigrants (50% Hispanics and 40% Blacks) have disproportionate literacy problems, which increase their health risks.The Center for Health Care Strategies has estimated that minorities and immigrants (50% Hispanics and 40% Blacks) have disproportionate literacy problems, which increase their health risks. In Washington, D. C., adult education levels in the site communities are the second lowest with only 68.4% reporting having a High School education.In Washington, D. C., adult education levels in the site communities are the second lowest with only 68.4% reporting having a High School education.

Literacy Issues As reported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), studies state that one- third of English-speaking patients at two public hospitals were unable to read basic health materials.As reported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), studies state that one- third of English-speaking patients at two public hospitals were unable to read basic health materials. NLM also reports a Medicare finding that 34% of the English speaking and 54% of the Spanish speaking patients had inadequate or marginal health literacyNLM also reports a Medicare finding that 34% of the English speaking and 54% of the Spanish speaking patients had inadequate or marginal health literacy

Literacy Issues The Institute for Healthcare Advancement summarized from research that written health materials:The Institute for Healthcare Advancement summarized from research that written health materials: usually appear at the 10th grade level or higher (above average abilities),usually appear at the 10th grade level or higher (above average abilities), that they include too much information and no explanation of uncommon words,that they include too much information and no explanation of uncommon words, and that treatments are accompanied by complex instructionsand that treatments are accompanied by complex instructions

Internet and Literacy Berland, et. Al (2001) Journal of American Medical Association 18 English-language health Web sites (6 general health, 12 condition-specific) and 7 Spanish-language Web sites (3 general health, 4 condition-specific).18 English-language health Web sites (6 general health, 12 condition-specific) and 7 Spanish-language Web sites (3 general health, 4 condition-specific). Most Web-based health information will be difficult for the average consumer to understand:Most Web-based health information will be difficult for the average consumer to understand: Half of the English-language materials are written at the college level, and all were at least a tenth-grade reading level.Half of the English-language materials are written at the college level, and all were at least a tenth-grade reading level. Forty percent of the Spanish-language materials are written at the college level, almost all were written at least a ninth-grade reading levelForty percent of the Spanish-language materials are written at the college level, almost all were written at least a ninth-grade reading level Health Information on the Internet: Accessibility, Quality, and Readability in English and Spanish, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 285, No. 20, May , pp

Health Literacy The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Definition of Health Literacy Healthy People 2010

Health Literacy Measures Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) – Screener to assess ability to read common medical words of body parts and illnesses (2-3 mins. to assess). Participants read words (different numbers of syllables) in columnsRapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) – Screener to assess ability to read common medical words of body parts and illnesses (2-3 mins. to assess). Participants read words (different numbers of syllables) in columns Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) (also in Spanish) (22 mins)– tests numerical abilities and comprehension using Cloze proceduresTest of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) (also in Spanish) (22 mins)– tests numerical abilities and comprehension using Cloze procedures

Readability Measures Readability Formulas – more than 40 formulas SMOG – counts words with 3 or more syllables in 30 sentencesSMOG – counts words with 3 or more syllables in 30 sentences Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index – found with your Microsoft Word software, grammar checkFlesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index – found with your Microsoft Word software, grammar check Flesch-Kincaid Formula – average number of syllables/word and average number of words/sentencesFlesch-Kincaid Formula – average number of syllables/word and average number of words/sentences Fry Readability – 3 samples of 100 words and count number of sentences and words (Spanish also)Fry Readability – 3 samples of 100 words and count number of sentences and words (Spanish also) Lexile Measures – average sentences length and word familiarity (software) (Spanish also)Lexile Measures – average sentences length and word familiarity (software) (Spanish also)

Problems with Readability Measures Surface Characteristics – scores rely on surface characteristics, but comprehension and learning depend on more in the textSurface Characteristics – scores rely on surface characteristics, but comprehension and learning depend on more in the text Readers cognitive aptitudes – scores do not consider knowledge, language skills and other cognitive aptitudes (interaction of reader and text)Readers cognitive aptitudes – scores do not consider knowledge, language skills and other cognitive aptitudes (interaction of reader and text) Cohesion and coherences – readability scores do not necessarily correlate with text cohesion.Cohesion and coherences – readability scores do not necessarily correlate with text cohesion.

Alternatives Replacement words Allowing – lettingAllowing – letting By telephone – by phoneBy telephone – by phone Commonly – most oftenCommonly – most often Convenient – handyConvenient – handy Decision – ?Decision – ? Several – ?Several – ? Evidence – ?Evidence – ? Receive - ?Receive - ? Understand - ?Understand - ? In addition - ?In addition - ?

Resources Guidelines for Patient Education Written Materials: An authors guideGuidelines for Patient Education Written Materials: An authors guide Health and Literacy CompendiumHealth and Literacy Compendiumhttp://easternlincs.worlded.org/heatlh/comp/index.htm Health Information Handouts Used at UCSF Homeless ClinicHealth Information Handouts Used at UCSF Homeless Clinic Information from Your Family DoctorInformation from Your Family Doctor Harvard School of Public Health, Health Literacy StudiesHarvard School of Public Health, Health Literacy Studies National Cancer Institute, Making Health Comm. Progs WorkNational Cancer Institute, Making Health Comm. Progs Workwww.cancer.gove

Resources Lister Hill Library Internet MEDLINE Training SiteLister Hill Library Internet MEDLINE Training Site Literacy: Working through Literacy BarriersLiteracy: Working through Literacy Barriers Michigan Adult Learning &Technology Center: Health LiteracyMichigan Adult Learning &Technology Center: Health Literacy Patient Education Resources for Clinicians, OHSU LibrariesPatient Education Resources for Clinicians, OHSU Librarieshttp// Nationl Network of Libraries of Medicine, Consumer HealthNationl Network of Libraries of Medicine, Consumer Healthhttp:

Fotonovelas Use stories to convey a message similar to comic books.Use stories to convey a message similar to comic books. Relate a story using photographs and dialogue boxes or bubbles containing simple language.Relate a story using photographs and dialogue boxes or bubbles containing simple language. Format takes advantage of the strong oral traditions of both African Americans and HispanicsFormat takes advantage of the strong oral traditions of both African Americans and Hispanics

Fotonovelas and Education Have been used successfully internationally and in the United States for health education.Have been used successfully internationally and in the United States for health education. In this project, the photographs will also be accompanied by voice-overs in English and in Spanish separately.In this project, the photographs will also be accompanied by voice-overs in English and in Spanish separately. Will be produced using PowerPoint software since it is a program that is readily available and does not impose memory, speed and storage demands on computers.Will be produced using PowerPoint software since it is a program that is readily available and does not impose memory, speed and storage demands on computers. Furthermore, hardcopies may be printed for clients.Furthermore, hardcopies may be printed for clients.

The Typical Fotonovela RURAL WOMENS HEALTH PROJECT STD Prevention

The Typical Fotonovela RURAL WOMENS HEALTH PROJECT Condom Use

Howard University Project Project HealthStories: Talking Fotonovelas for Low Literacy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse PopulationsProject HealthStories: Talking Fotonovelas for Low Literacy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations Funding:Funding: ASHA Multicultural Projects GrantASHA Multicultural Projects Grant

Goals This project will reduce structural and language barriers by developing culturally and linguistically appropriate web-based materials to: Increase the knowledge of African Americans and Hispanic populations about professional issues and services.Increase the knowledge of African Americans and Hispanic populations about professional issues and services. Meet the needs of health providers with materials to complement and enhance their services.Meet the needs of health providers with materials to complement and enhance their services. Research the effectiveness of web-based materialsResearch the effectiveness of web-based materials Knowledge increaseKnowledge increase Knowledge retentionKnowledge retention

Process

Focus Groups Speech and Language Pathologists 1.Parent language stimulation activities for ages 0-3 (7) 2.Services available at school (7) 3.How to read a book (6) 4.How speech and language problems impact education (6) 5.Stages of speech and language development (5) 6.Relaxation exercises (5) 7.Importance of keeping native language (5) 8.Enhancing fluency in the preschool population (4) 9.How children learn a second language (4) 10.How is my child going to learn English (3) 11.What to expect (Diagnostic Procress) (3) 12.Play (3)

Focus Groups Audiologists (conversation) 1.Importance of Screening/Follow-up for Babies OAEOAE ABRABR TympsTymps 2.Basic Audio Instructions 3.What is a Hearing Aid? 4.Hearing Aid Use 5.Sings of Hearing Loss in Children 6.Hearing Aid Evaluation 7.Hearing Loss and Noise 8.Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss 9.Communicative Strategies

Production

Production Worksheet

Story Board Worksheet

Script Worksheet

Research Summative and formative evaluation purposesSummative and formative evaluation purposes Service providers and participants will be asked questions regarding facility of use and satisfactionService providers and participants will be asked questions regarding facility of use and satisfaction Health knowledge attained using pre & post testHealth knowledge attained using pre & post test Retention of knowledge- After 30 days, participants will be interviewedRetention of knowledge- After 30 days, participants will be interviewed

Our Website Project: HealthStories

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