Comprehensibility of Health-Related Documents for Older Adults with Different Levels of Health Literacy: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

A systematic review was conducted to assess the available evidence for the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve the comprehensibility of health-related documents in older adults (≥50) with different levels of health literacy. Seven databases were searched (2005 forward), and references in relevant reviews were checked. The selection procedure was conducted by 2 independent reviewers. Data extraction and assessment of the quality of the resulting studies were conducted by 1 reviewer and checked for accuracy by a 2nd reviewer. A total of 38 intervention studies had a study population of older adults (n = 35) or made an explicit comparison between age groups, including older adults (n = 3). Inconsistent evidence was found for the importance of design features to enhance the comprehensibility of health-related documents. Only for narratives and multiple-feature revisions (e.g., combining revisions in textual and visual characteristics) did the included studies provide evidence that they may be effective for older adults. Using narrative formats and/or multiple-feature revisions of health-related documents seem to be promising strategies for enhancing the comprehensibility of health-related documents for older adults. The lack of consistent evidence for effective interventions stresses the importance of (a) replication and (b) the use of standardized research methodologies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-177
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Health Communication
Volume21
Issue number2
Early online date23-Nov-2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1-Feb-2016

Keywords

  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • PATIENT EDUCATION
  • CANCER INFORMATION
  • INFORMED-CONSENT
  • HEART-FAILURE
  • DECISION AIDS
  • PRIMARY-CARE
  • RISK
  • MEDICATION
  • WRITTEN

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