Health literacy and asthma management among African-American adults: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Individuals with adequate print-related health literacy may be more equipped to participate in shared decision making and feel more confident to successfully manage their disease. It is also important that health literacy is discussed in the context of the cultural and racial background of the population of interest. This interdependent relationship between health literacy and culture is particularly important for African-Americans.

Barriers and facilitators of effective self-management in asthma: systematic review and thematic synthesis of patient and healthcare professional views

“…The majority of the research was conducted in the USA ( n = 23) 21 – 43 or the UK ( n = 12), 11 , 44 – 54 with fewer studies being conducted across the rest of the world: Australia ( n = 6), 55 – 60 Canada ( n = 3), 61 – 63 Taiwan ( n = 3), 64 – 66 Denmark ( n = 2), 67 , 68 Singapore ( n = 2), 69 , 70 Netherlands ( n = 2), 71 , 72 Germany ( n = 1), 73 New Zealand ( n = 1), 74 and Thailand ( n = 1). 75 Data collection methods primarily comprised interviews ( n = 35) 23 – 26 , 29 , 30 , 35 – 38 , 41 , 44 – 53 , 55 – 58 , 60 – 62 , 64 – 66 , 68 , 72 , 74 , 75 and focus groups ( n = 21). 11 , 22 , 28 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 45 – 47 , 58 , 59 , 63 , 67 , 69 – 71 , 73 A few alternative methods were also used: diary or journal data ( n = 2), …”

“… 11 , 22 , 28 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 45 – 47 , 58 , 59 , 63 , 67 , 69 – 71 , 73 A few alternative methods were also used: diary or journal data ( n = 2), 21 , 27 online free text responses ( n = 1), 54 and the recording of clinical consultations ( n = 1). 32 The following groups of participants were studied: adults with asthma ( n = 25), 21 – 25 , 32 , 35 , 38 – 41 , 43 , 44 , 49 , 50 , 54 – 57 , 59 – 63 , 73 children, adolescents and/or carers ( n = 29), 11 , 26 – 31 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 42 , 47 , 48 , 51 – 53 , 62 , 64 – 68 , 70 – 72 , 74 , 75 healthcare professionals ( n = 9), 11 , 31 , 32 , 39 , 46 , …”

“… 31 There has also been a move over time to explore in more detail the views of minority ethnic and other at risk groups. These included African Americans ( n = 6), 33 – 35 , 37 , 38 , 43 South Asians ( n = 2), 44 , 45 Puerto Ricans ( n = 1), 28 Mexicans ( n = 1), 30 Latinos ( n = 1), 41 older adults (aged 50 and above; n = 1), 57 those on a low income ( n = 5), 21 , 23 , 25 , 51 , 65 those from urban areas ( n = 5), 21 , 23 , 33 , 34 , 51 and those from rural areas ( n = 2). 25 , 42 Two studies focused on those with intellectual disabilities ( n = 1), 60 and low health literacy ( n = 1).…”

A Systematic Review of Patients’ Experiences in Communicating with Primary Care Physicians: Intercultural Encounters and a Balance between Vulnerability and Integrity

“…Tailoring the approach to the patient and individualizing care seems to ensure a positive communication experience. A majority of patients emphasized the importance of feeling personally understood in one’s context and cared for in a biopsychosocial approach in contrast with being treated as a number [ 66 , 70 , 72 , 86 ]. Furthermore, they appreciated when physicians valued their opinion and when they had an egalitarian relationship and a partnership with their physician [ 35 , 71 , 73 ].…”

“…EMPs raised experiences of discrimination based on their cultural belonging [ 80 ]. For instance, African Americans felt they were treated according to the stereotype of being unintelligent, being work shy and lazy, and having an unhealthy diet, and being poor [ 63 , 86 ]. For Pakistani-born migrants in Europe, some felt their traditional clothing impacted on the consultation with physicians acting surprised when these women proved to be intelligent and able to follow the consultation [ 32 ].…”