Health Literacy and Disease Understanding Among Aging Women With Pelvic Floor Disorders

• DOI: 10.1097/spv.0b013e31826fb8d3
• Publication Date: 2012-11-08T13:35:12Z
• Authors: Jennifer T. Anger; Una J. Lee; Brita M. Mittal; Matthew E. Pollard; Christopher M. Ta...; Sally Maliski; Rebecca G. Rogers
• Keywords: Urogynecology; Health Literacy; Specialty

Objectives Few studies on health literacy and disease understanding among women with pelvic floor disorders have been published. We conducted a pilot study to explore the relationship between literacy, age, diagnosis type urinary incontinence organ prolapse. Methods The subjects were recruited from urology urogynecology specialty clinics based chief complaint suggestive of or Subjects completed questionnaires assess symptom severity, was measured using Test Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Patient-physician interactions audiotaped during office visit. Immediately afterward, patients asked describe diagnoses treatments discussed by physician record them checklist, follow-up phone call, where same checklist administered 2 3 days later. Results A total 36 disorders, aged 42 94 years, enrolled. found that scores decreased increasing age. However, all had low percentage recall their poor condition despite high scores. Patients prolapse seemed worse than incontinence. Conclusions High as assessed Adults may not correlate patients' ability comprehend complex functional conditions such disorders. Lack lead unrealistic treatment expectations, inability give informed consent for treatment, dissatisfaction care. Better methods improve are needed.