Field-Testing and Refinement of the Organisational Health Literacy Responsiveness Self-Assessment (Org-HLR) Tool and Process

Anita Trezona, Sarity Dodson, Emma Fitzsimon, Anthony D. LaMontagne and Richard H. Osborne
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Anita Trezona: Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Sarity Dodson: Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Emma Fitzsimon: Inner North West Primary Care Partnership, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
Anthony D. LaMontagne: Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Richard H. Osborne: Centre for Global Health and Equity, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Health literacy refers to the skills and knowledge that influence a person’s ability to access, understand and use information to make health-related decisions, which are influenced by the complexity of their health needs and the demands health services place on them. The aim of this study was to field-test the Organisational Health Literacy Responsiveness (Org-HLR) tool and process to determine their utility in assessing health literacy responsiveness and for supporting organisations to plan health literacy-related improvement activities. Four organisations in Victoria, Australia, field-tested the Org-HLR tool. Data were collected through direct observation, participant feedback, and focus groups. Forty-three individuals participated in field-testing activities, and 20 took part in focus group meetings. Themes relating to the applicability and utility of the Org-HLR self-assessment tool and process were identified. Field-testing resulted in a number of refinements to the tool and process. Twenty-eight indicators were removed, 29 were rephrased to improve their clarity, and four new indicators were added. The revised Org-HLR self-assessment tool contains six dimensions, 22 sub-dimensions and 110 performance indicators. The Org-HLR tool and process were perceived as useful for assessing health literacy responsiveness, prioritising improvement activities, and establishing a benchmark for monitoring and evaluation of improvements over time. Testing generated an improved Org-HLR tool and assessment process that are likely to have utility across a broad range of health and social service sector organisations.

Keywords: health literacy; health literacy responsiveness; health systems; access; health service improvement; self-assessment; Org-HLR self-assessment tool (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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