Impact of a Health Literacy Training Course on Community Pharmacists’ Health Literacy Knowledge and Attitudes

Abstract

Background: According to the 2003 US Department of Education National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 36% of Americans have basic or below basic health literacy. Low health literacy has been shown to lead to worse health outcomes, higher overall medical costs, and patient and provider frustration. Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of a health literacy training course on community pharmacists’ health literacy knowledge and attitudes toward working with patients with low health literacy and to identify community pharmacists’ perspectives on the usefulness of the training course. Methods: An approximately 2-hour health literacy training course was developed, aimed at increasing pharmacists’ health literacy knowledge and providing methods to identify and communicate with patients with low health literacy. Pharmacists employed by a supermarket chain community pharmacy were asked to participate and complete an anonymous pre-survey and post-survey, consisting of knowledge-based questions (multiple choice and true/false format) and an attitude assessment (5-point Likert-type scale format). Demographic information was collected, and a course evaluation was included. Results: Forty-four of the 45 pharmacists who were asked to participate in the research study participated (98%). After participating in the health literacy training course, pharmacists’ average test scores on knowledge-based questions increased (69.89% vs 83.75%; P < .001), and their confidence and comfort levels toward working with patients with low health literacy in 5 specified areas improved. The majority of participating pharmacists felt that the training course provided them with helpful resources and communication methods and that it was useful to their practice setting. Conclusion: Educating community pharmacists about health literacy and about methods to improve their communication skills with patients with low health literacy could improve pharmacists’ ability to provide clinical services to such patients.