Robert A. Logan
Clinical, classroom, or personal education: attitudes about health literacy*
National Center for Biotechnology Information
purpose study explores diverse attitudes health literacy assessed medical librarians health care professionalsprocedures online survey thirtysix items conducted using q methodology two phases spring 2005 winter 2006respondents n 51 nonrandomly selfselected convenience sample members medical library association group environmental health consultants national library medicinefindings three factors identifiedfactor 1 optimistic supportive health literacys transformative sociocultural professional potential clinical settings become launching point health literacy activitiesfactor 2 less optimistic health literacys potential improve clinical patient outcomes prefers focus health literacy initiatives classroom education settingsfactor 3 supports improving nations health literacy tends support health literacy initiatives people privately interact health information materialsconclusions factors attitudes appropriate educational venue initiate health literacy activities different somewhat mutually exclusivethis suggests health literacy seen different perceptual frameworks represent possible source professional disagreement highlights respondents divided whether appropriate venue launch health literacy initiatives clinical providerpatient environment k12 health education classes settings consumers learn informally health mass media educational settings launch health literacy initiatives may salient respondents criticisms health literacys sociocultural influence findings suggest acceptance health literacy initiatives could run professional resistance implications health literacy supporters mindful differences peers envision implementation health literacy initiatives respondents differences provide basis dialogue address relative benefits launching health literacy initiatives clinical settings classroom personal educational venues b ways perceptions health literacy impacted health professionals characterization people serve patients students consumers