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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sr. Rosemary Donley, PhD, RN, C-ANP, Sr. Mary Jean Flaherty, PhD, RN, FAAN, Eileen Sarsfield, MSN, RN, and Heidi Maloni, MSN, RN, CRNP. School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, Gowan Hall, Cardinal Station, Washington, DC 20064, 202-319-6469, donley@cua.edu
This presentation will describe a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of including the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), an assessment of health literacy, in a routine health assessment. Health literacy is defined as the ability to perform basic reading tasks required to function in the health care environment. The REALM was used to measure health literacy levels of three populations who sought health information/care in urban, community-based sites. A convenience sample was drawn from a health clinic (30), health fair (30), and parish clinic (31). The REALM scores and demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study results, a total mean REALM score of 60.9 with a standard deviation of 9.36 for ninety-one subjects, suggest that on average the population studied is able to read just below the high school level. However, 40% of the scores in one setting were between the fifth and eighth grade reading level. The majority of the participants were African American and female. Study results support the inclusion of the REALM instrument as an assessment of health literacy into a routine health assessment at selected community sites.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will be able to: (1) assess the effectiveness and efficiency of utilizing REALM to evaluate health literacy in a community setting, (2) discuss the impact of low health literacy levels on public health nursing practice and health care outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by The Catholic University of America