title: Impact of health literacy on outcomes and effectiveness of an educational intervention in patients with chronic diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Study impact of health literacy on educational intervention for patients "Living with Coronary Artery Disease."
  
  
  METHODS
  187 patients were randomized to: VHS/DVD plus printed booklet; or booklet alone prior to scheduled visit. Main outcome measures included CAD knowledge assessment, clinical outcomes (weigh and blood pressure) and health behaviors (diet, exercise, and smoking); while functional health literacy was assessed as a possible predictor variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge scores and health behaviors improved following both interventions. Those receiving the booklet and video also had a significant improvement in exercise, and weight loss. There was a trend (p=0.07) towards greater improvement in test scores among those receiving the booklet plus video. Patients with lower health literacy benefited as much as higher literacy patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporation of an educational program into clinical visits for patients with chronic disease improved disease-specific knowledge and prompted patients to become activated and involved in their care, improving health behaviors and outcomes. Lower health literacy was not a barrier to this beneficial effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with lower health literacy may also benefit from educational, shared decision-making interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. mark.eckman@uc.edu
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Eckman
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: Estrelita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Warm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording