A conceptual model of verbal exchange health literacy

Abstract

Objective To address a gap in understanding of verbal exchange (oral and aural) health literacy by describing the systematic development of a verbal exchange health literacy (VEHL) definition and model which hypothesizes the role of VEHL in health outcomes. Methods Current health literacy and communication literature was systematically reviewed and combined with qualitative patient and provider data that were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results Analyses of current literature and formative data indicated the importance of verbal exchange in the clinical setting and revealed various factors associated with the patient-provider relationship and their characteristics that influence decision making and health behaviors. VEHL is defined as the ability to speak and listen that facilitates exchanging, understanding, and interpreting of health information for health-decision making, disease management and navigation of the healthcare system. A model depiction of mediating and influenced factors is presented. Conclusion A definition and model of VEHL is a step towards addressing a gap in health literacy knowledge and provides a foundation for examining the influence of VEHL on health outcomes. Practice Implications VEHL is an extension of current descriptions of health literacy and has implications for patient-provider communication and health decision making.

Health literacy in solid-organ transplantation: a model to improve understanding

“…Health literacy may be affected by patient verbal ability, cognitive functioning, and/or vision/hearing acuity, particularly in older adults. 23 , 50 , 51 In the context of health literacy, verbal ability refers to the “ability to speak and listen that facilitates exchanging, understanding, and interpreting of health information for health-decision making, disease management, and navigation of the healthcare system.” 52 In a sample of older adults aged 55–74 years, Serper et al found that limited cognitive function, including verbal ability, was significantly associated with lower health literacy. 53 The findings of Wolf et al were similar.…”

Shared Decision Making in the Emergency Department Among Patients With Limited Health Literacy: Beyond Slower and Louder

“…This may be due to the lack of tools for easily quantifying the health literacy level of the verbal exchange. 32 The amount of information understood by the patient is influenced by health literacy-listening skills and the spoken message (wording, sentence structure, delivery), which can be difficult to measure. We are not aware of any publications that guide scripting health care decision conversations for patients with LHL.…”

Adolescent Healthcare Brokering: Prevalence, Experience, Impact, and Opportunities

“…The high school is in the bottom 20% of high schools in its state based on state math and reading tests . Though the research is inconclusive regarding the connection between math and health literacy skills, reading ability is connected; therefore, students at this school are at greater risk for poor health literacy . To participate, students needed to obtain written parental consent and to provide assent.…”