I realized I dated my last blog post wrong! The dates should have been Wednesday, February 10th to Friday, February 12th. Oops!
Monday, February 15th: This Monday, I created the database to begin inputting the data from the health literacy assessments! This database includes the patient name, birthday, their score from the SAHL-E (Short Assessment of Health Literacy-English) as a number from 1-18, and their score from the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) nutrition label assessment as a score of 1-6 (photos attached above). Patients with a SAHL-E score of 0-14 or a NVS score of 0-1 are considered as a high risk of low health literacy and will be flagged in the database. These patients will then be contacted and asked to make an appointment with the health education department, and a note will be made in their chart to ensure the providers give medical advice appropriate to their level of understanding. Today, I learned how to generate a functional database and communicate the methods of operating it to my coworkers. I realized how important it is to have a user-friendly yet comprehensive database to ensure the information is being accurately interpreted.
Competency 4.3.3: Create new data collection instruments
7.1 Identify the level of literacy of intended audience
Tuesday, February 16th: This Tuesday, I began the pilot test of the health literacy assessment on 4 coworkers to get practice on administering and scoring the assessment. This was very helpful for me to become confident in administering the assessment and to identify potential barriers that may occur during the assessment. For example, I realized that the wording of one question was difficult for multiple coworkers to understand, so I adapted the wording using their feedback to make it easier to understand. I also trained another MA on how to deliver the assessment and had her practice on a few coworkers so she could be confident when assessing patients. Today, I learned valuable skills in how to refine an assessment using the feedback of others. I realized how important it is to be able to make productive changes based on criticism instead of letting it offend you. It is essential to use the feedback from others to improve the program before implementing it to the priority population.
4.3.6 Pilot test data collection instruments
4.4.1 Train data collectors involved in evaluation and/or research
7.1.5 Revise messages based on pilot feedback
Wednesday, February 17th: This Wednesday, I began the implementation process of the assessment. Over the course of the day, I assessed 3 patients while obtaining their vital signs and entered the data into the spreadsheet. Overall, the process went smoothly and the patients enjoyed answering the questions. I did notice, however, that the assessment could potentially make the patient feel overwhelmed or belittled if they do not do well on the exam. Although all of the patients today did very well on the assessment, I realized I must be very cautious when explaining the purpose of the assessment so the patients know it is for us to better help them and we are in no way trying to criticize their abilities. I today learned that language choice can completely change how patients view the assessment, and it is essential for me to administer the test through a lens of compassion.
3.3 Implement health education/promotion plan
3.3.1 Collect baseline data
Thursday, February 18th: This Thursday, I worked the night clinic. I focused more on triaging patients instead of the health assessment since we only collect that data during day clinic. One of my patients was diagnosed with COPD, asthma, and hypertension, and he asked me advice on getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Although I was not able to get him an appointment, I decided to research and show him exactly how to pre-register through the Athens department of health website. Although this is not typically in my job description, this was a great opportunity to promote health and connect the patient to resources in the community. He was very thankful for my help and even called mercy to let me know he had successfully registered. Today, I learned that taking an extra couple minutes to research something and explain it step by step to a patient can help them tremendously.
6.3 Provide advice and consultation on health education/promotion issues
Friday, February 19th: This Friday, I triaged 3 patients and educated one of those patients on how to comply with a low-carb diet to better manage his type II diabetes. I also worked with the Health Education specialists to plan a competition to promote active life lifestyle in our staff. We found some old step counters in a closet and decided to give them to the staff to measure how many steps they take each day next week. We will compare the total steps at the end of the week and give a free drink to whoever gets the most. Today, I realized that it is just as important for the staff to live a healthy lifestyle as it is for the patients. Often times, the staff can be forgotten in trying to promote the health of others, but if they are not healthy they cannot operate at their full potential. We need our staff to be healthy to provide the highest quality of care possible.
5.6.8 Implement strategies to enhance the professional development of staff members and volunteers
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