Health literacy among patients diagnosed with movement disorders: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The study sought to examine the functional health literacy in a sample of geriatric patients diagnosed with movement disorders. The hypothesis was that the study group would demonstrate marginal levels of health literacy scores on a standardized health literacy instrument.


METHODS
The study used a prospective analysis of patients referred to an outpatient movement disorders clinic in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Fifty-four men with a movement disorder volunteered for the study, with data analysis conducted on 44 of these patients.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA).


RESULTS
Members of the current sample demonstrated adequate health literacy and scored significantly higher on the TOFHLA relative to the measure's normative sample. Younger age, more education, and higher Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores were predictive of health literacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The extant literature strongly suggests that limited health literacy is a frequent problem across the United States and represents a considerable obstacle to the effective delivery of health care. In a group of movement disorder subjects with a Folstein MMSE of at least 24, health literacy was generally well preserved. Years with movement disorder and severity of disorder did not impact health literacy. Thus, practitioners should not be prejudiced in a belief that individuals with movement disorders cannot manage their medications.
Armistead-Jehle
Patrick
P
Southeastern Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA.
Cifu
David X
DX
Wetzel
Ryan
R
Carne
William
W
Klanchar
Lynn A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States