Introduction:
The prevalence of obesity in Australia has been steadily increasing for the past 30 years. Recent literature suggests that health literacy impacts on health-related quality of life such that patients with low health literacy were more likely to be overweight and have poorer physical health. Delivery of high quality healthcare is often enhanced when patients have an adequate level of health literacy as it enables effective communication, participation and cooperation with health care professionals. The aims of this proof of concept study is to determine whether low health literacy plays a role in the management of obesity in general practice.
Methods:
A secondary thematic qualitative analysis of forty patient interviews that were undertaken for the purpose of examining the key barriers and enablers to the implementation of NHMRC obesity guideline recommendations in general practice were performed. An inductive thematic analysis method was used. These themes were guided by five key domains generated by the Calgary Charter on Health Literacy (CCHL) in 2013. These were: access, understanding, evaluation, communications and usage of health information.
Results:
Several themes emerged from our preliminary findings. In particular, the domains of ‘access’, ‘evaluation’ and ‘understanding’ were prevailing as dominant domains. Patients’ motivation improved with easier access to health professionals. Patients’ understanding about the effects of their obesity on their disease processes were generally varied, particularly on how they disease were being managed. The ability to self-evaluate their own obesity related disease suggest better control and management of their illnesses. These themes correspond to the domains identified by the CCHL.
Conclusion:
Health literacy is a complex concept but it is a vital determinant of health outcome. This proof of concept study highlighted the role of health literacy in the management of obesity in the general practice setting.