title: Development of multimedia informational tools for breast cancer patients with low levels of health literacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To create informational tools for breast cancer patients with low levels of health literacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tools were developed through a three-stage process. (1) Focus groups were conducted with breast cancer survivors and interviews were held with health educators to determine content, source of information, format and medium of the tools. (2) Based on this feedback, a suite of tools was developed. (3) Focus groups were reconvened and health educators re-interviewed to obtain feedback and determine satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed a suite of five informational tools using low health literacy principles, which focused on learning about breast cancer resources and learning about the members of one's healthcare team, understanding the "journey" or trajectory of care beginning at diagnosis, hearing from other breast cancer patients about their own journey, and becoming informed about what to expect pre-and post-surgery for breast cancer. The final products were rated highly by breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developed materials, designed for patients who read below an 8th grade level, reflect the informational needs reported by breast cancer patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers must consider utilizing design principles and theories of adult learning appropriate for those with low health literacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada; Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: tae.hart@psych.ryerson.ca.
authors.forename: Tae L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Cancer Services, Planning, and Performance, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blacker
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panjwani
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torbit
authors.affiliation: Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Health Design Lab, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D032882:Comprehension; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D057220:Health Literacy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Breast cancer; Health literacy; Healthcare providers; Information; Tools