Do health service waiting areas contribute to the health literacy of consumers? A scoping review

Move to improve - Prescribing physical activity and deprescribing paracetamol for low back pain: Protocol for a hybrid type III feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

People experiencing low back pain (LBP) could potentially benefit from multimedia educational resources that integrate self-management strategies and improve awareness of the benefits of staying active and about medications that offer limited benefits, such as paracetamol. Primary care waiting rooms are potential spaces for presenting health promotion resources to improve health literacy through the dissemination of easily accessible health information. This feasibility study aims to explore the feasibility of conducting a large-scale trial to investigate the benefits of multimedia educational resources delivered at outpatient physiotherapy waiting rooms of public hospitals to support patients to participate in physical activity and reduce paracetamol intake for LBP.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A hybrid type III feasibility study will be conducted at a public hospital in Sydney, Australia, from March to September 2024. The multimedia strategy development (pre-implementation) involves collaborative planning among healthcare professionals, policymakers and community stakeholders in physiotherapy practice. Phase II (implementation) will evaluate the acceptability and implementation processes of delivering the multimedia educational resources in the physiotherapy waiting room following the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework. Findings from the quantitative data will be reported descriptively, and categorical data by counts and percentages. Qualitative (open-ended questions) will be integrated with the feasibility trial outcomes to inform the design of a full-scale randomised controlled trial.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has ethical approval from the Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (2023/ETH02683). The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, articles in relevant newsletters and presentations at national and international conferences. Social media platforms including X will also be used to generate awareness.

Effect of information delivery techniques in reducing pre-procedural anxiety in computed tomography

OBJECTIVES

Patients undergoing medical procedures often experience heightened anxiety, which can affect their experience and overall health. The current study aimed at looking at a quality improvement initiative to compare written and audiovisual information delivery methods to reduce anxiety prior to Computed Tomography (CT).

METHODS

In this prospective interventional study, we assessed state and trait anxiety in patients scheduled for their first CT scan. Three PDSA cycles were carried out over six months, with each cycle lasting for two months each. The participants were divided into three groups, the baseline, written, and audiovisual intervention groups. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. State anxiety is a temporary emotional response, while trait anxiety reflects enduring personality characteristics.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 43.26 years (SD 15.07) in the baseline group, 39.9 years (SD 14.72) in the written group, and 48.59 years (SD 13.54) in the audiovisual group. For state anxiety, the baseline mean was 58.4 (SD 6.9), notably reduced to 43.2 (SD 5.5) with written intervention and to 38.6 (SD 7.7) with audiovisual intervention (p < 0.001). Trait anxiety scores remained relatively stable in all groups (p = 0.31).

CONCLUSION

Both written and audiovisual interventions successfully alleviate pre-imaging anxiety in patients undergoing CT scans. The findings underscore the superior efficacy of audiovisual materials in achieving a more substantial reduction in state anxiety compared to written information. These findings are particularly relevant in resource limited settings where simple interventions show significant improvements.

Health information and resources in hospital outpatient waiting areas may not meet the needs of older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A cross-cultural qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Health information and resources are often provided in hospital outpatient waiting areas but may not meet the cultural and health literacy needs of older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the perspectives and experiences of Cantonese- and Vietnamese-speaking patients and carers in this setting.

METHODS

This qualitative interview-based study was conducted from December 2019 to March 2020 at a single outpatient rehabilitation service located at a tertiary public hospital. Four adult consumers (two older adult patients, two caregivers) from CALD backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews with bilingual researchers. Data were transcribed, translated and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five themes were developed which highlighted that older adults' language profiles shaped their health information needs and ability to access resources in waiting areas. Cultural factors such as filial responsibility may also influence health information preferences.

DISCUSSION

Older consumers from CALD backgrounds did not have equitable access to health information and resources in the waiting area compared with English-literate older adults.

CONCLUSION

Health information and resources in waiting areas warrant improving to better meet the needs of older patients from CALD backgrounds and their caregivers.