An educational strategy to enhance pharmacy students' attitudes toward addressing health literacy of patients

ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), on enhancing pharmacy students' attitudes toward health literacy, perceived behavioral control and intentions concerning communicating with patients possessing inadequate health literacy.MethodsThis TPB-based, educational approach consisted of two 50-minute sessions and employed a pretest/posttest control group design. During the first session, experimental students were provided a 50-minute presentation and two out-of-class assignments. The second session included discussion of the assignments, in-class demonstrations, and small group learning activities. The intervention was administered to third year pharmacy students (n = 40). Second year pharmacy students (n = 42) served as controls. Three scales measured the TPB constructs.ResultsAnalyses revealed significant improvements over time within the experimental group for attitudes toward health literacy (p = 0.033) and perceived behavioral control concerning communicating with patients possessing inadequate health literacy (p = 0.033). Intentions to communicate were high for both groups at pretest and no differences were found to exist for this construct in any analyses.ConclusionsGiven the number and severity of negative health related consequences associated with inadequate health literacy, it is imperative that schools of pharmacy be proactive and in preparing students to address patients' health literacy needs. This TPB-based, educational intervention may assist other pharmacy programs in their efforts of incorporating health literacy into their curriculums. The intervention may also be modified and implemented in advanced pharmacy practice experiences, residency programs and continuing education programs.