The Health Literacy Progression Sandra Smith, MPH PhD
The Health Literacy Progression for parents of young children consists of two scales derived from the Life Skills Progression Instrument (Wollesen & Peifer, 2006). The Healthcare Literacy Scale rates parents’ use of information and healthcare services. The Selfcare Literacy Scale rates self management of personal and child health at home. A home visitor completes the LSP, including these scales every 6 months. The visitor circles words that apply to a particular parent and child in the last 6 months. Item scores are taken from the numbers above the columns in which words are circled. Low scores show needs to address; high scores show strengths to build on. The shaded area represents the target range (Scores >4). The scale score is the average of available items. Comparison of sequential measures shows progress or regression over time. A 2-year field test (n=2532) showed these tools are useful in practice. Parents in an intervention focused on promoting interactive and reflective skills achieved significantly improved functional health literacy in the first six months of service regardless of reading level. Those with lower estimated reading level made the greatest gains. For a description of the conceptual framework for this method, see Promoting Health Literacy: A conceptual framework for measurement and intervention. Handout These files contain no viruses.ss
The LSP Healthcare Literacy Scale ?Brookes, 2006
The Healthcare Literacy Scale rates parents’ use of information and healthcare services. The shaded area represents adequate to optimal functioning in the healthcare system. In this hypothetical case, the mother scored 2.9. Her interest in information from healthcare providers is developing (item 10 Use of Information). She has established a medical home for her child (item 20 Child Well Care) but not for herself (item 18 Parent Sick Care). She is beginning to use health services, albeit inconsistently.
The LSP Selfcare Literacy Scale ?Brookes, 2006
The Selfcare Literacy Scale rates parents’ management of personal and child health at home. In this hypothetical case, the parent scored 3.3 on selfcare literacy. Item 4 Attitudes to Pregnancy is not scored since the pregnancy is ended, or the parent is a father. The parent avoids unhealthy behaviors (items 24 Substance Use & 25 Tobacco). S/he is beginning to make use of information to support child development (item 7) and to use community resources (item 11).
For information about the Life Skills Progression from which these scales are derived, contact Linda Wollesen
Reference:
Wollesen, L. & Peifer, K. (2006). Life Skills Progression: An outcome and intervention planning instrument for use with families at risk. Baltimore: Brookes.