Exploring Patient Education Resources Available for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Groups in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background:

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a medical intervention used to improve the quality of life in patients with pulmonary diseases. PR has been shown to reduce hospital admissions, increase exercise capacity, and improve disease symptoms. This study aims to explore the resources utilized by PR programs in Ohio to meet the needs of PR patients who experience inadequate health literacy and/or are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD).

Methods:

Following institutional IRB approval and permission from the executive committee of the Ohio Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, an electronic survey was emailed to members. In addition to screening and eligibility questions, the survey included topics such as information on facilities, demographics of patients served, resources available to programs and challenges faced when delivering patient education.

Results:

Twenty-four participants met inclusion criteria and completed the survey instrument. Between 55.6% and 66.7% of programs ask patients about language and culture preferences and norms. Forty-three percent of participants reported they are seldom able to provide educational materials in the patients’ preferred language. However, 75% report providing medical interpreters, even though they identify availability and reliability of medical interpreters and lack of translated education materials as a challenge in meeting CALD patient needs. Half of participants assess patients’ health literacy, and 78.6% agree that education materials are understood by all patients regardless of health literacy level.

Conclusions:

Many PR programs in Ohio do collect information about language and cultural preferences and norms as well as health literacy levels, but do not have the patient education resources they believe would benefit these patients. Because of this, patients with low health literacy levels and/or CALD backgrounds have unmet education needs in PR. There seems to be uncertainty about the adequacy of education materials provided in preferred languages, as well as the health literacy levels of the materials. This represents an opportunity for professional organizations to provide translated, culturally appropriate, and simplified materials that PR personnel can access.