Health literacy in orthopedic trauma patients

Filip Cosic, Lara Kimmel, Elton Edwards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: This study aimed to determine the level of health literacy in a post-operative orthopaedic trauma population, and evaluate the efficacy of a simple pre discharge discussion strategy, targeted at improving health literacy. DESIGN:: A pre-post intervention study was conducted from April 2014 until January 2015. SETTING:: Academic Level 1 trauma centre. PARTICIPANTS:: One hundred and ninety consecutive orthopaedic trauma patients with operatively managed lower limb fractures were recruited. All eligible participants agreed to participate. INTERVENTION:: The first ninety-nine patients received usual care (UC). The following ninety-one patients received a structured pre-discharge discussion, including x-rays, written and verbal information, from the orthopaedic staff (DG). Patients were then randomised into health literacy evaluation prior to first outpatient review or after first outpatient review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: The primary outcome measure was a questionnaire determining health literacy. RESULTS:: Ninety-six (97%) of the usual care patients (UC) and 87 (96%) of the discussion patients (DG) completed the interview. UC pre-outpatient (n=46) demonstrated a mean score of 4.67 of a maximum 8. UC post-outpatient (n=50) demonstrated a mean score of 5.42. DG pre-outpatient (n=47) demonstrated a mean score of 6.70. DG post-outpatient (n=40) demonstrated a mean score of 7.08. CONCLUSIONS:: Australian orthopaedic trauma patients demonstrate poor health literacy, with this not showing improvement following their first outpatient follow-up visit. The use of a time efficient, structured pre discharge discussion improved patient health literacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e90-e95
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Trauma
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2017

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