Background: Diabetes is of growing concern affecting 6.9% of the adult U.S. population, and proper management requires patient education focussing on self-management skills and modifiable behaviors. Many patient education efforts rely heavily on printed materials, with an assumption that patients can read and understand them. Previous studies within a public hospital and a Medicare population have shown low levels of functional health literacy, but this has not yet been measured within a commercial managed care organization’s (MCO) population. This analysis assesses the level of functional health literacy among members and elicits member preferences for diabetes educational materials.
Methods: Members with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), aged 18-64, were randomly selected from one health plan of a national MCO and 1,047 members completed a one-hour, in-person interview.
Results: Scores for inadequate, marginal and adequate functional health literacy were 5.3%, 2.8%, and 92%, respectively. The preferred sources of diabetes information were doctors (80%), dietitians (61%), nurses (55%), written materials (51%), and classes (47%). Less than one-third reported videotapes (23%) and websites (28%) as ‘very useful’. 70% reported Internet use, but only 11% reported using the Internet for ‘all’ or ‘most’ of their health information.
Implications: This population appears to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in reading and understanding medical information. Preferences for educational materials were similarly distributed among health care providers, written materials, and group classes. In planning disease management programs in the managed care setting, multiple educational modalities need to be considered.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the prevalence of inadequate and marginal functional health literacy within an adult, diabetic managed care population. 2. Discuss patient education preferences among diabetic managed care members.
Keywords: Health Literacy, Managed Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.