Dataset Information

Health Literacy in Health Professionals Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Health literacy (HL) is an important public health goal but also crucial in individuals providing medical care. During the pandemic, COVID-19-related HL of health professionals (HPs) has gained momentum; it helps to minimize the risk of self-infection, on the one hand, and to protect patients and relatives from infection, on the other. However, comprehensive information about the levels of individual pandemic-related HL in HPs is scarce.

Objective

In this paper, we aimed at describing the extent of existing research on HL (concept) conducted in HPs (population) in the COVID-19 pandemic (context). The review intends to map the literature on HL in HPs, thereby highlighting research gaps.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted using the methodology of Khalil et al (2016). This involved an electronic search of PubMed (MEDLINE) and PsycInfo and a hand search. The included studies were iteratively examined to find items representing the four HL dimensions of access, understand, critically appraise, and apply COVID-19-related health information.

Results

The search yielded a total of 3875 references. Only 7 (1.4%) of the 489 included studies explicitly stated to have addressed HL; 2 (0.4%) studies attempted to develop an instrument measuring COVID-19-related HL in HPs; 6 (1.2%) studies included an HL measure in an observational survey design. Of the remainder, the vast majority used a cross-sectional design. The dimensions access and understand were frequently examined, but few studies looked at the dimensions critical appraisal or apply. Very few studies reported an intervention aiming to improve a COVID-19-related HL outcome.

Conclusions

High levels of COVID-19-related HL among HPs are necessary to ensure not only safe practice with necessary protection of HPs, their patients, and relatives, but also successful care delivery and subsequently improved health outcomes in the long term. To advance our understanding of how high COVID-19-related HL manifests itself in HPs, how it relates to health outcomes, and how it can be improved, more research is necessary.

Trial registration

Open Science Framework dbfa5; https://osf.io/dbfa5/.

SUBMITTER: Grepmeier EM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9578515 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Health Literacy in Health Professionals Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Scoping Review.

Grepmeier Eva-Maria EM Pawellek Maja M Curbach Janina J Sommoggy Julia von JV Drewitz Karl Philipp KP Hasenpusch Claudia C Bitzer Eva Maria EM Apfelbacher Christian C Matterne Uwe U

JMIR medical education 20221017 4

<h4>Background</h4>Health literacy (HL) is an important public health goal but also crucial in individuals providing medical care. During the pandemic, COVID-19-related HL of health professionals (HPs) has gained momentum; it helps to minimize the risk of self-infection, on the one hand, and to protect patients and relatives from infection, on the other. However, comprehensive information about the levels of individual pandemic-related HL in HPs is scarce.<h4>Objective</h4>In this paper, we aime ...[more]

PMID: 36179148

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Project description:ObjectivesBoth literature and policy have identified the need for health literacy education for qualified health professionals. This study aimed to identify and map health literacy competencies and health literacy related communication skills educational interventions for qualified health professionals. The research questions included: Of the qualified health professional education interventions identified, which are focused on diabetes care? What health literacy competencies and health literacy related communication skills are integrated into each programme? What are the characteristics of each education programme? What were the barriers and facilitators to implementation? What methods are used to evaluate intervention effectiveness, if any?DesignScoping review, informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.Data sourcesThe following databases: OVID; CINAHL; Cochrane; EMBASE; ERIC: PsycInfo; RIAN; Pro-Quest; UpToDate were searched.Eligibility criteriaArticles were included if the education programme focused on qualified health professionals, in all clinical settings, treating adult patient populations, of all study types.Data extraction and synthesisTwo authors independently screened titles, abstracts and full text articles that met the inclusion criteria. The third author mediated any discrepancies. The data were extracted and charted in table format.ResultsIn total, 53 articles were identified. One article referred to diabetes care. Twenty-six addressed health literacy education, and 27 addressed health literacy related communication. Thirty-five reported using didactic and experiential methods. The majority of studies did not report barriers (N=45) or facilitators (N=52) to implementation of knowledge and skills into practice. Forty-nine studies evaluated the reported education programmes using outcome measures.ConclusionsThis review mapped existing education programmes regarding health literacy and health literacy related communication skills, where programme characteristics were identified to inform future intervention development. An evident gap was identified regarding qualified health professional education in health literacy, specifically in diabetes care.

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Dataset Information

Health Literacy in Health Professionals Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Scoping Review.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Publications

Health Literacy in Health Professionals Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Scoping Review.

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