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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Patricia Bradley, DNS RN¹, Patricia Malagon-Soto², Micaella Saldana, Jo Nell Wells, PhD RN, and Carolyn Spence Cagle, PhD RN⁵. (1) College of Nursing, Texas Christian University, Box 298620, Fort Worth, TX 76129, 817-257-6729, p.bradley@tcu.edu, (2) Texas Christian University, School of Education, Box 298620, Fort Worth, TX 76129, (3) School of Nursing, Texas Christian University, Box 298620, Fort Worth, TX 76129

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports that nearly half of all American adults have difficulty understanding and acting upon health information (2004). For those whose native language is not English, health literacy issues are compounded by problems with basic communication and the specialized vocabulary to convey health information. This makes non English speakers at risk of making poorly informed health decisions that may negatively influence health outcomes. One of the IOM's recommendations is to “explore creative approaches to communicate health information using printed and electronic materials and media in appropriate and clear language” (p.16). A recent study of Mexican American cancer caregiers demonstrated the IOM's study's need for health literacy. In the study 34 caregivers of oncology patients were interviewed. The caregivers voiced a need for educational materials stating when they did receive materials they often could not read them (R15 NR0085 10-01A1, Wells, Bradley, & Cagle). One caregiver voiced “that kind of education is not really given to Hispanic people, even less for the people who do not speak English.” As a result of this need, a follow-up study was planned. In Phase 1, the teaching materials in the cancer care clinic were evaluated for gaps in priority topics, grade level, language availability, content validity, and styles. The same procedure was followed in several cancer-related agencies throughout the city. Phase II of the study is currently being conducted. We are interviewing 10-20 family caregivers to determine their preferred format for educational materials and the importance of selected cancer topics. Data on caregiver education and preferred language will be collected. The findings will be shared with implications for an intervention study to test innovative culturally relevant educational materials not dependent on caregivers having to read. Clinical practice implications will also be shared.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of this program the participants will be able to

• Discuss the Institute of Medicine Study recommendation.
• Recognize the findings of the assessment of the teaching materials available in the cancer clinic and cancer-related agencies.
• Correlate the identified gaps in priority topis found in the assessment of teaching materials with the priorty topics identified by the caregivers.
• Compare the educational level of the caregivers with the reading levels assessed in the caregiver educational materials found in the clinic and cancer-related agencies.
• Prioritize the research implications and practice implications of the study.

Keywords: Health Literacy, Caregivers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No