Scoping review of the preferences of older adults for patient education materials

A cross-sectional time series of cardiometabolic health education format preferences across sociodemographic groups

AIMS

Health education is integral to cardiometabolic disease (CMD) management. This study aimed to assess whether and how education preferences have changed over time, and whether trends differ by sociodemographic characteristics (education status, age, ethnicity, and sex).

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire was deployed across five counties in the East Midlands, UK between 2017 and 2022 to adults with CMD (type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease). Respondent demographic data were collected alongside health education preferences. Statistical analyses ascertained whether demographic characteristics influenced preferences. The distribution of preferences over time was charted to identify trends.

RESULTS

A total of 4301 eligible responses were collected. Face-to-face one-to-one education was preferred (first choice for 75.1% of participants) but popularity waned over the five-year period. Trends were similar amongst demographic groups. Online education showed a U-shaped trend: In 2017, 44% of respondents ranked it as acceptable, peaking at 53% in 2019, but declining again, to below base line, 43%, by 2022. This modality was more popular with participants aged younger than 65 years, but popularity in people older than 65 years increased over the study period. The popularity of printed information also declined over time across all demographic groups except those of South Asian ethnicity, for whom it remained static.

CONCLUSIONS

The overwhelming preference for face-to-face one-to-one health education from a doctor or nurse highlights the importance of preserving access to this modality, even in the face of current NHS pressures and trends towards digitalisation. Trends are changing, and should continue to be monitored, including between different sociodemographic groups.

Implementing falls prevention patient education in hospitals - older people's views on barriers and enablers

BACKGROUND

World falls guidelines recommend that hospitalised older patients receive individualised falls prevention education, yet no studies have sought older people's feedback on how best to deliver falls prevention education in hospitals. The objective of the study was to explore the perspectives of older people and their caregivers about barriers and enablers to implementation of a tailored hospital falls education program.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was used. Three focus groups and 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted. A purposive sample of older people who had previous hospital admissions and caregivers of older people were selected to review a co-designed patient falls education program (the revised Safe Recovery program). They provided feedback on how to implement the program in hospital settings. Data were thematically analysed taking an deductive-inductive approach.

RESULTS

Participants were 37 older people [female n = 24 (64.9%), age range 64 to 89 years] and nine caregivers (female n = 8). The first theme was that the Safe Recovery Program resources were of high quality, enabling strong patient engagement and increased knowledge and awareness about falls prevention in hospitals. The second theme identified practical strategies to enable program delivery in hospital wards. The key enablers identified were: timing of delivery around wellness and the patient's mobility; tailoring messages for each older patient; key staff members being assigned to lead program delivery. Participants recommended that staff assist older patients to set appropriate behavioural goals in relation to preventing falls in hospitals. They also recommended that staff raise older patients' confidence and motivation to take action to reduce the risk of falls. Providing resources in other languages and alternative shorter versions was recommended to enable broad dissemination.

CONCLUSIONS

Older people and their caregivers advised that implementing falls education in hospitals can be enabled by using high quality resources, delivering falls education in a timely manner and personalising the education and support to individual needs.

Preparation of Patients for Central Venous Catheter Care in the Home: Perspectives From Health Care Personnel

Patients managing central venous catheters (CVCs) outside of hospitals need training in CVC care. Using 3 focus groups, the study identified themes in how health care personnel (HCP) prepare patients and their caregivers for CVC care at home. Four major themes and 25 nested subthemes were identified: (1) providing the right amount of education at the right time, (2) tailoring education to patient needs, (3) developing patient education tools, and (4) managing differences in recommendations to patients. HCPs in the study ensured patients and caregivers learn what they need to know when they need to know it, using appropriate patient education tools. Patients and caregivers are largely responsible for CVC care and central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention outside of acute care hospitals and long-term care settings, and HCP take seriously their obligation to provide them with appropriate education and tools to best enhance their ability to keep themselves safe.

The immediate, intermediate, and long-term effectiveness of audiovisuals for providing pre-treatment information to patients with cancer: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of audiovisuals in providing pre-treatment information to patients with cancer. Following the Six Function Model of Medical Communication, we distinguish between immediate, intermediate, and long-term outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in five electronic databases for quantitative studies comparing the addition of audiovisuals with standard care or alternative interventions. Quality was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2.

RESULTS

After abstract (n = 10,179) and full-text (n = 85) screening, 37 articles were included. Audiovisuals positively impacted patients' anxiety, knowledge, understanding, and physiological responses shortly after the consultation, particularly when video was compared with standard verbal care without audiovisual. Only five studies measured long-term outcomes, leaving the long-term effectiveness of audiovisuals unexplored. Majority of studies showed 'high risk of bias' (n = 34).

CONCLUSION

Although caution is warranted because of the variability in study design and quality, the results suggest potential benefits of using audiovisuals alongside interpersonal communication.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

More high-quality and longitudinal research is needed with emphasis on comparing counseling with and without usage of audiovisual tools. Healthcare providers can improve the short-term impact of information provision by using audiovisuals alongside standard care, but should carefully consider content, for whom, how, and timing.

The Impact of a Student-Led Health Education Clinic on the Health Literacy and Behaviors of a Rural Community in the State of Pennsylvania, USA

Rural populations experience a number of disparities that place them at increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to chronic disease, including lower health literacy and greater distance to medical care. Community-based free healthcare education can offer targeted preventive care to these vulnerable populations; however, limited quantitative research exists measuring their impact, specifically on health literacy and likelihood for behavior change. To investigate this, a student-led health education clinic was held in January 2023 in the rural community of Lykens, Pennsylvania by the Student-run and Collaborative Outreach Program for Health Equity (SCOPE). Fifty-five pre- and post-clinic surveys using Likert-style questions measured the knowledge and likelihood of behavioral change for several preventive health topics, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer screenings, childhood vaccinations, skin cancer, mental health, addiction, and nutrition. From pre- to post-clinic, there was a significant increase in knowledge of hypertension (p = 0.023) and diabetes (p = 0.014), likelihood of attending cancer screenings (p = 0.038), and confidence in identifying cancerous moles (p = < 0.001). There was a non-significant increase in understanding of mental health and nutrition, and no change in understanding of addiction or childhood vaccinations. It is likely that the level of interaction in education provided and relevance of information to participants contributed to effective uptake of information. The results demonstrate an immediate impact on health literacy and likelihood of behavioral change for several important preventive health topics, and advocate for the use of student-run healthcare interventions in addressing the prevalence of chronic disease in rural communities.

Improving patients' experiences of diagnosis and treatment of vertebral fracture: co-production of knowledge sharing resources

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis involves changes to bones that makes them prone to fracture. The most common osteoporotic fracture is vertebral, in which one or more spinal vertebrae collapse. People with vertebral fracture are at high risk of further fractures, however around two-thirds remain undiagnosed. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends bone protection therapies to reduce this risk. This study aimed to co-produce a range of knowledge sharing resources, for healthcare professionals in primary care and patients, to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

This study comprised three stages: 1. In-depth interviews with primary care healthcare professionals (n = 21) and patients with vertebral fractures (n = 24) to identify barriers and facilitators to diagnosis and treatment. 2. A taxonomy of barriers and facilitators to diagnosis were presented to three stakeholder groups (n = 18), who suggested ways of identifying, diagnosing and treating vertebral fractures. Fourteen recommendations were identified using the nominal group technique. 3. Two workshops were held with stakeholders to co-produce and refine the prototype knowledge sharing resources (n = 12).

RESULTS

Stage 1: Factors included lack of patient information about symptoms and risk factors, prioritisation of other conditions and use of self-management. Healthcare professionals felt vertebral fractures were harder to identify in lower risk groups and mistook them for other conditions. Difficulties in communication between primary and secondary care meant that patients were not always informed of their diagnosis, or did not start treatment promptly. Stage 2: 14 recommendations to improve management of vertebral fractures were identified, including for primary care healthcare professionals (n = 9) and patients (n = 5). Stage 3: The need for allied health professionals in primary care to be informed about vertebral fractures was highlighted, along with ensuring that resources appealed to under-represented groups. Prototype resources were developed. Changes included help-seeking guidance and clear explanations of medical language.

CONCLUSIONS

The study used robust qualitative methods to co-produce knowledge sharing resources to improve diagnosis. A co-production approach enabled a focus on areas stakeholders thought to be beneficial to timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment. Dissemination of these resources to a range of stakeholders provides potential for substantial reach and spread.

Older adults' needs and preferences for a nutrition education digital health solution: A participatory design study

BACKGROUND

The global population is ageing rapidly and there is a need for strategies to promote health and wellbeing among older adults. Nutrition knowledge is a key predictor of dietary intake; therefore, effective educational programmes are urgently required to rectify poor dietary patterns. Digital health technologies provide a viable option for delivering nutrition education that is cost-effective and widely accessible. However, few technologies have been developed to meet the unique needs and preferences of older adults.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore technology use among older adults and qualitatively determine the content needs and design preferences for an online nutrition education resource tailored to older adult consumers in Australia.

METHODS

Twenty adult participants aged 55 years and older (95% female) participated in one of four 2-h participatory design workshops. In each workshop, prompted discussion questions were used to explore participants' technology use and preferences and to explore content needs and design preferences for an online nutrition education resource specific to older adults.

RESULTS

All participants were regularly using a range of different devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets and computers) and reported being comfortable doing so. Participants wanted a website that provided general nutrition information, practical advice and recipes. To enhance engagement, they sought a personalised resource that could be adjusted to suit their needs, included up-to-date information and allowed for easy sharing with others by exporting information as a PDF.

CONCLUSIONS

Participatory design methods generate new knowledge for designing and tailoring digital health technologies to be appropriate and useful for the target audience. Specifically, older adults seek an online resource that has large and simple fonts with clear categories, providing them with practical advice and general nutrition information that can be personalised to suit their own needs and health concerns, with the option to export and print information into a paper-based format.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Older adults actively participated in the development and evaluation process to generate ideas about potential features, functionalities, uses and practicalities of an online nutrition education resource.