Development of a Communication Intervention for Older Adults With Limited Health Literacy: Photo Stories to Support Doctor-Patient Communication.
Successful doctor-patient communication relies on appropriate levels of communicative health literacy, the ability to deal with and communicate about health information. This article aims to describe the development of a narrative- and picture-based health literacy intervention intended to support older patients with limited health literacy when communicating during their primary care consultations. We performed a formative evaluation that included a review of the literature and interviews with stakeholders on relevant health literacy issues, qualitative studies with the target group, intervention planning, and a small-scale evaluation. Cocreation with the target group was a major component. Seven photo stories were developed incorporating principles from narrative and social learning theory and covering communication themes and strategies identified during focus group discussions and role-play exercises. The intervention was developed in 3 different formats: 1-page photo stories, narrated video clips using the original photo story pictures, and interactive video clips covering participation and communication during primary care consultations. In our small-scale evaluation, older adults considered the cocreated intervention appealing and comprehensible. The intervention shows promise for improving the health of older adults but needs further evaluation. This study provides a rigorous template for the participatory development of health literacy interventions.
a Department of Communication and Information Sciences, Faculty of Arts , University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
Ruth
R
Koops van 't Jagt
b Department of Health Sciences , University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
Andrea F
AF
de Winter
b Department of Health Sciences , University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
Sijmen A
SA
Reijneveld
a Department of Communication and Information Sciences, Faculty of Arts , University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
John C J
JC
Hoeks
a Department of Communication and Information Sciences, Faculty of Arts , University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
Carel J M
CJ
Jansen
D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D057240:Patient Preference; D010781:Photography; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012381:Role Playing