The purpose of the study was to create low literacy educational materials for breast cancer patients on the topic of cancer staging. Low health literacy is an epidemic within the United States with only 12% of American’s considered proficient in health literacy. After reviewing current literature concerning health literacy, a low literacy script was written and an educational video was created with the help of three senior Associate Degree Nursing students from a local community college. Healthcare providers were asked to review the video and take a short qualtrics survey supplying their opinion on the video’s quality.
Methods
This project used data from the qualtrics survey to determine the usefulness of the educational video on cancer staging. The survey included a variety of questions and explored the relevance of the video. Participants were healthcare providers and invited via email with links to the video and the qualtrics survey provided. All data was collected anonymously. Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory was used as the Theoretical framework for this study. The educational video was created with the concept of self care and the patient in mind. The video script was based on the American Cancer Society’s information but written at a fourth grade reading level to accommodate patients with low health literacy. Literacy tools including the Flesch Reading Ease score, the Gunning Fog, the SMOG index, and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade level were used to determine reading level of the script. Senior Associate Degree of Nursing students assisted in the making of the video. A role play exercise was used in the video to enhance learning. Filming took place in the Nursing Simulation Lab.
Results
The creation of an educational video with a low literacy script for teaching breast cancer patients about the staging process was the result of this study. Limited feedback was received, however the video was scored as high in quality and of appropriate length. Even though the information was seen as relevant, results suggested it was unlikely the video would be shared with colleagues. Further feedback is needed and should be acquired with a larger population pool. Collaboration, a Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competency was demonstrated through professional modeling and mentoring of students.