title: Prevalence of limited health literacy and compensatory strategies used by hospitalized patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited health literacy is associated with higher rates of hospitalization. However, the prevalence and etiology of limited health literacy among hospitalized adults and the compensatory strategies used are not known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and demographic associations of limited health literacy in hospitalized patients and to identify the perceived etiology and use of any compensatory strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was implemented of a consecutive sample of hospitalized adults admitted to the Internal Medicine Hospitalist Service at a 440-bed academic medical center (n = 103) in Vermont. Health literacy was determined using the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Demographic data, perceived etiology of difficulties in reading or understanding health information, and use of compensatory strategies were self-reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty percent of medical inpatients have limited health literacy. Thirty-six percent of patients with limited health literacy attribute this to difficulties with vision. Sixty-two percent of all medical inpatients rely on help from a health professional, and 23% look to a family member when faced with challenges in reading or understanding health information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of limited health literacy is high in hospitalized medical patients. Further study of the timing and methods of communicating information to hospitalized patients is warranted. Assuring that the patient and/or family understand the postdischarge plans will be an important step to improving quality and safety.
authors: Graduate School of Nursing,University of Massachusetts, Worcester 01655, USA. nancy.morris@umassmed.edu
authors: Nancy S
authors: NS
authors: Morris
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Grant
authors: Allen
authors: A
authors: Repp
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Maclean
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Littenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014707:Vermont / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult