SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Identifying Hospitalized Patients at Risk of Low Health Literacy

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This cross-sectional study examined health literacy among hospitalized adults at John Dempsey Hospital from September 2021 to April 2023. Health literacy was defined as not only the ability to read medical words, but also to understand and apply them. Because low health literacy is linked to poorer outcomes, more hospital use, and higher rehospitalization risk, the study aimed to identify demographic groups at higher risk and compare reading ability with comprehension.<br /><br />A total of 466 patients were screened by 85 volunteers using the REALM-SF, a short health literacy test. Patients were asked to report age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Two scores were calculated: a reading score based on correctly pronouncing seven medical words, and a comprehension score based on correctly defining those words.<br /><br />The results showed differences in comprehension across several demographic groups. Male patients, Black patients, and older patients had lower comprehension scores for medical terminology. In particular, patients in the oldest age group (83–97 years) had significantly lower comprehension than reading scores. Differences were also seen across race, ethnicity, and gender, with figures showing significant gaps between reading and comprehension in some groups.<br /><br />The study also found that performance on the REALM-SF reading portion strongly predicted comprehension scores, supporting the usefulness of this method for assessing both types of health literacy.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that some hospitalized patients can read medical terms but still struggle to understand them. The authors conclude that their approach to measuring both reading and comprehension is valid and that future research should explore why these demographic differences exist and how to address them.

Asset Subtitle

Rose Karvandi

Meta Tag

Author List Christopher Steele, Jason Carrese, Radha Patel, Rose Karvandi, Zoha Sarwat

Category Research

Concept Health Literacy

Concept Hospitalized Patients

Concept Reading Ability

Concept Comprehension Ability

Concept Medical Word Recognition

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Presenting Author Rose Karvandi

Track Other

Keywords

health literacy

hospitalized adults

REALM-SF

comprehension

reading ability

medical terminology

demographic differences

age groups

race and ethnicity

cross-sectional study

Health Literacy

Hospitalized Patients

Reading Ability

Comprehension Ability

Medical Word Recognition