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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-02-2019 | Original Article

What do radiation therapists know about health literacy and the strategies to improve it for patients? A qualitative study

Authors: Fiona Quinn, Sian K Smith, Haryana M Dhillon, Charles Gillham, Agnella Craig

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Low health literacy leads to poor knowledge and understanding of health information, delayed diagnosis, lower use of preventative medicines/health services, increased likelihood of hospitalisation, and increased patient anxiety. Effective communication facilitates patient understanding and helps patients to manage the adverse side-effects associated with treatment. It is not yet known whether radiation therapists in Ireland tailor their communication to match a patient’s health literacy level. The purpose of this research was to investigate radiation therapists’ knowledge and awareness of health literacy and perceptions of their role in supporting patients with low health literacy.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen radiation therapists working in four radiotherapy departments in Ireland. Data were analysed using the framework approach.

Results

Through discussions with participants, it was apparent that radiation therapists had limited knowledge of the concept of health literacy. Common themes arose from the interviews with four key themes identified:

Strategies used to identify patients’ health literacy

Perceived effect of low health literacy

Obstacles faced when addressing low health literacy

Recommendations to support lower health literacy groups

Conclusion

Currently, radiation therapists show some knowledge and awareness of health literacy, but an increased awareness of the prevalence of low health literacy and a structured approach to supporting patients would allow radiation therapists to more effectively communicate with patients, thus improving their treatment experience and reducing the risk of adverse outcomes.

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Title: What do radiation therapists know about health literacy and the strategies to improve it for patients? A qualitative study
Authors: Fiona Quinn
Sian K Smith
Haryana M Dhillon
Charles Gillham
Agnella Craig
Publication date: 01-02-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4353-4

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

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