BEAN: An action-oriented and scientifically-based model for how people learn health literacy skills

The science of education is often absent from intervention and program development because many professionals have no training in how individuals learn. Thus, many interventions are developed with little attention to the instructional foundation of how individuals learn health literacy skills. To that end, this presentation introduces a novel integrated approach of cognitive psychology and adult learning theory to foster the acquisition of functional health literacy skills. Cognitive psychology can explain how individuals perceive, process, and organize information so as to later recall and apply this information in a meaningful context. Similarly, theories of adult learning rely heavily on placing learning in the context of real life situations, making learning immediately relevant, and empowering learners to take an active role in posing questions and developing solutions. Newer theories of adult learning also focus on the process of perspective change, methods to increase motivation, and collaboration – all with a focus on increasing knowledge and skill acquisition. The BEAN Model (Better Education and iNnovation), developed in the adult education setting, demonstrates how integrating cognitive psychology with theories of adult learning can influence environmental factors and instructional strategies. Educational strategies include presenting information multimodally, attending to individuals' goals and interests, activating prior knowledge, and fostering perspective change. These factors and strategies can then be used together to increase acquisition of functional health literacy skills and promote behavior change. This presentation is designed to provide concrete strategies for practitioners and intervention developers to maximize learning opportunities with patients and study participants alike.