24th Annual Student Research Conference
Health Literacy: Attitudes and Intentions of Future Health Professionals
Gina G. Hansen* and Kassie J. McElvain
Dr. Roberta Donahue, Faculty Mentor
Future health professionals can develop more effective communication skills through an understanding of the importance of health literacy and low literacy communication techniques. Effective communication is correlated with better healthcare outcomes. The study evaluated attitudes toward health literacy among students enrolled in three different HLTH classes during Fall 2010 immediately before and six weeks after a 50 minute health literacy presentation. The pre-test participants (n=76) had generally positive attitudes toward health literacy prior to the presentation. The post-test participants (n=71) increased the degree to which they believed health literacy was an important component of healthcare and professional practice. For example, while 46% of pre-test participants (n=35 ) strongly agreed that they would incorporate health literacy techniques in future professional practice, 69% of post-test participants (n =49 ) strongly agreed. Based on these positive changes, a health literacy presentation will become an integral part of HLTH 255, Introduction to Community and Public Health, in future semesters.
Keywords: Health Literacy, Health Science, Healthcare, Health Professionals, communication
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 10-9
Location: Georgian Room - SUB
Time: 4:30