Matching Education Material with the Literacy Level of our Patient Population
Previous studies have shown that the reading comprehension of many patients lies below that required for printed healthcare materials they receive, suggesting that the literacy level of patients needs to be strongly considered when developing education materials. This is particulary important given that research has shown patient comprehension is a prerequisite to patient compliance with medical instruction and health education.
Given this, we analysed the education component of the NWDS Managing Kidney Failure (MKF) pathway to ensure it targets the literacy level of our patients. We used 'Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine' to establish the literacy level of haemodialysis patients in our metropolitan units. The MKF education package was evaluated using the Gunning FOG Index to determine readability and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool to determine comprehension.
As a result of this process, we identified that our patient education material exceeded the average literacy level of our patient poulation. Accordingly, our MKF education materials were revised to match the identified literacy level. These materials were then re-tested using FOG and SAM.
As a part of our commitment to patient focused care, we hope that, by modifying our MKF education package to meet the literacy levels of our patient population, it will be effective in delivering information that our patients require to understand the treatment and lifestyle regime required for their disease. Understanding is vital as kidney failure, being a chronic disease, requires good management not only by associated health care professionals but also by the patient.