31 - Implementing a Health Literacy Program within a Dental Department

Abstract:

Objective: The objective of this project to improve patient care experience by addressing health literacy gaps within patient communication tools; such as forms, consents, and educational materials. To increase awareness and importance of health literacy among Marshall Dentistry and Oral Surgery faculty and staff. To build collaborative culture of quality improvement and patient safety.

Methods: Continuous use of PDSA cycles- Plan, Do, Study, Act, while using the Flesch-Kincaid readability test, patient feedback, and sample test groups a comprehensive assessment of all materials and tools was conducted.

Results: It was determined that patient communication documents including health history forms, consents, aftercare instructions, and educational materials were at a much higher reading level than the patient population served. Using the appropriate tools to rewrite patient communication tools and implementing strategies to assure new forms are evaluated for reading level, communication, and overall health literacy prior to introduction.

Conclusion: Complex and confusing to-read patient forms present a barrier to achieving optimal health literacy and can lead to negative, undesired health outcomes. To assure Assessment the reading level and comprehension of any new forms, consents, and educational materials they be properly vetted for comprehension and appropriately reading level.
Conduct annual training sessions/lectures on the importance of health literacy awareness for faculty & staff
Self-Awareness training yourself to listen to patients and value their insights and recognize barriers
Assess patient interactions in care settings looking for barriers to care for effective communication

Source of Funding: None