Improvement to Patient Retention and Experience of Asthma Education Using Visual/Audio Tools Appropriate for Learners With Diverse Levels of Health Literacy

Background: The primary goal of asthma management is to achieve and maintain control of the asthma condition. Respiratory therapists (RT) partner with the patient and family to achieve self-management through education. It is essential to maximize every learning opportunity and to engage patients and families in a way that supports retention and motivation. The newly adopted tools included interactive color videos, a color comic book, character stickers, and trading cards given for enhanced learning and incentive. The videos were shown during the wait of the visit, prior to the physician encounter when clinic flow allowed. The RT educator reviewed the video and other details after the physician visit. The new tools in this study have been evaluated using health literacy and plain language best practices. Methods: This study was not deemed human subject testing by the local IRB. Using a survey, participants were requested to rate the quality of the education tools presented during asthma education. Responses were collected using a Likert Scale to assess the impact on patient experience. In addition, this survey evaluated the patient/family9s ability to recall information presented during asthma education. The first question was a health literacy screener. The health literacy question was presented to families/caregivers of asthma patients. Results: The new tools were introduced to 100 families and surveys were administered. Ninety surveyed felt extremely or quite a bit comfortable with reading and understanding asthma. Only 3 reported a little comfortable or not at all. The new tools were rated by 87 families as good or loved it. Only 3 reported they did not like it. Compared to past education, 84 rated it better or somewhat better. No ratings for somewhat worse or worse. Eighty-five families could verbalize understanding of bronchodilators and controller medications after education. Conclusions: As the association between literacy and health outcomes have become more apparent over the last two decades, it is an ethical obligation and best practice to seek ways to provide clear, concise communication with patients and families dealing with complex chronic disease processes. Adopting asthma tools that address diverse health literacy, that are appealing and engage families, and provide clear and concise communication produce improved results in families9 feedback and retention of asthma information.