Knowledge of limited health literacy at an academic health center.
BACKGROUND
Health care providers' awareness and knowledge of the impact that limited health literacy has on the health care system and the individual patient was measured. In addition, the usefulness of the Limited Literacy Impact Measure (LLIM) was examined.


METHODS
Two hundred forty providers and students attending a university-sponsored presentation on health literacy were invited to participate.


RESULTS
Participants were most knowledgeable about the impact on patients and less knowledgeable about the impact on the health care system.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care provider knowledge and awareness of limited health literacy continues to be a challenge. Educational programs developed for providers and patients are needed to address the health literacy crisis. Improving health literacy will improve health outcomes while reducing the use of unnecessary health care services.
Jukkala
Angela
A
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Nursing, Department of Community Health, Outcomes and Systems, 312 School of Nursing Building, 1701 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Deupree
Joy P
JP
Graham
Shannon
S
D000407:Alabama; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032882:Comprehension; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires