title: Maximising health literacy and client recall of clinical information: an exploratory study of clients and speech-language pathologists.
abstract: Limited research has been carried out in the field of speech-language pathology with regard to ways of maximising health literacy and client recall. However, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) frequently provide vast amounts of information that clients need to understand, apply and review in order to manage their (or their child's) health. This exploratory study aimed to contribute information about ways in which SLPs can overcome low health literacy and poor client recall so that treatment effectiveness is improved. A case-study design was used with specific focus on four clients receiving treatment for dysphagia, voice disorders (including laryngectomies) and cleft lip and/or palate management in Cape Town. Strategies which may be able to maximise health literacy and client recall of clinical information were trialled and evaluated by clients and their SLPs, using semi-structured interviews. The researchers proposed a combination of high-tech strategies which assisted in all the cases. No single solution or universal tool was found that would be appropriate for all. There is a need to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the combined strategies across a wider population, at different stages of rehabilitation and in diverse contexts. Implications and suggestions for future related research are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town. friderike.svw@gmail.com
authors.forename: Friderike Schmidt
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: von Wühlisch
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pascoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D032882:Comprehension; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013019:South Africa; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*