title: Health literacy in the urgent care setting: What factors impact consumer comprehension of health information?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing number of Americans are using urgent care (UC) clinics due to: improved health insurance coverage, the need to decrease cost, primary care offices with limited appointment availability, and a desire for convenient care. Patients are treated by providers they may not know for episodic illness or injuries while in pain or not feeling well. Treatment instructions and follow-up directions are provided quickly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine health literacy in the adult UC population and identify patient characteristics associated with health literacy risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a larger cross-sectional study, UC patients seen between October 2013 and January 2014 completed a demographic questionnaire and the Newest Vital Sign. Descriptive, nonparametric analyses, and a multinomial logistic regression were done to assess health literacy, associated and predictive factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 57.5% of 285 participants had adequate health literacy. The likelihood of limited health literacy was associated with increased age (p < .001), less education (p < .001), and lower income (p = .006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited health literacy is common in a suburban UC setting, increasing the risk that consumers may not understand vital health information. Clear provider communication and confirmation of comprehension of discharge instructions for self-management is essential to optimize outcomes for UC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Traci L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Newest Vital Sign; Urgent care; advanced practice nurse; consumer health information; health literacy; nurse practitioners; patient education