Fostering Health Literacy Responsiveness in a Remote Primary Health Care Setting: A Pilot Study

Rachael Laing, Sandra C Thompson, Shandell Elmer and Rohan L Rasiah
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Rachael Laing: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Karratha, WA 6714, Australia
Sandra C Thompson: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Shandell Elmer: Centre for Global Health and Equity, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Rohan L Rasiah: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Karratha, WA 6714, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Primary healthcare organisations have an important role in addressing health literacy as this is a barrier to accessing and utilising health care. Until recently, no organisational development tool operationalising health literacy in an Australian context existed. This research evaluated the efficacy of the Organisational Health Literacy Responsiveness (Org-HLR) tool and associated assessment process in a primary healthcare organisation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This study utilised a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design incorporating the collection and analysis of data in two phases: (1) Pre- and post-survey data and; (2) seven semi-structured interviews. Survey results showed that participants’ confidence in core health literacy concepts improved from baseline following the intervention. Analysis of the interview data revealed participants’ initial understanding of health literacy was limited, and this impeded organisational responsiveness to health literacy needs. Participants reported the workshop and tool content were relevant to their organisation; they valued involving members from all parts of the organisation and having an external facilitator to ensure the impartiality of the process. External barriers to improving their internal organisational health literacy responsiveness were identified, with participants acknowledging the management style and culture of open communication within the organisation as enablers of change. Participants identified actionable changes to improve their organisational health literacy responsiveness using the process of organisational assessment and change.

Keywords: health literacy; health literacy responsiveness; environmental health literacy; primary health care; health literacy capacity building (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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