Abstract
People with limited health literacy have a poorer comprehension of health documents and often have difficulties in healthcare interactions. This thesis explores ways to improve health-related documents in order to support people with limited health literacy, by studying methods to support comprehension of health information materials and methods to support interactions with health care professionals.
Central in this thesis is the use of photo stories in health communication. Photo stories are a visual type of narratives, with photographs and captions. Literature shows that such narratives are promising to support people with limited health literacy. In multiple studies with participants from the target group, we explored the best design and assessed the effects of photo stories about interacting with healthcare professionals.
Together with older adults, we created a booklet about patient-doctor interactions with seven photo stories based on social learning theory and ideas about how stories work, covering themes and strategies that older adults brought up. In a qualitative study participants reported a clear preference for the photo stories above a similar traditional brochure, but no significant differences were found in a quantitative study. Patients in waiting rooms of primary health care centres, however, reported that they had noticed photo stories more often than traditional brochures that were also present.
In sum, photo stories seem promising to support people with limited health literacy. Further research is needed to explore the impact of narratives and photo stories on people with limited health literacy and to study the effects on patient-doctor interactions.
Central in this thesis is the use of photo stories in health communication. Photo stories are a visual type of narratives, with photographs and captions. Literature shows that such narratives are promising to support people with limited health literacy. In multiple studies with participants from the target group, we explored the best design and assessed the effects of photo stories about interacting with healthcare professionals.
Together with older adults, we created a booklet about patient-doctor interactions with seven photo stories based on social learning theory and ideas about how stories work, covering themes and strategies that older adults brought up. In a qualitative study participants reported a clear preference for the photo stories above a similar traditional brochure, but no significant differences were found in a quantitative study. Patients in waiting rooms of primary health care centres, however, reported that they had noticed photo stories more often than traditional brochures that were also present.
In sum, photo stories seem promising to support people with limited health literacy. Further research is needed to explore the impact of narratives and photo stories on people with limited health literacy and to study the effects on patient-doctor interactions.
| Translated title of the contribution | Van vertellen naar vertonen: Fotostrips om mensen met beperkte gezondheidsvaardigheden te ondersteunen |
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| Original language | English |
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Award date | 12-Jul-2018 |
| Place of Publication | [Groningen] |
| Publisher | |
| Print ISBNs | 978-94-034-0806-4 |
| Electronic ISBNs | 978-94-034-0805-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |