Usability of an animated diabetes information tool for patients with different health literacy levels: a qualitative study

Boudewijn B Visscher*, Eibert R Heerdink, Jany Rademakers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Most currently available medication self-management support tools do not meet the needs of patients with limited health literacy. Recently, tools that are better tailored to the needs of patients with limited health literacy have been developed. This study aimed to assess the usability of an animated diabetes information tool by patients with diabetes with limited and adequate health literacy levels.

METHODS: Participants with limited and adequate health literacy levels were selected based on three health literacy questions in a screening interview, and asked to use the tool three times a week, after which individual semistructured interviews were conducted. The interview topics were based on the technology acceptance model (i.e. perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and intention to use). Twenty-five patients with diabetes were included in the study.

KEY FINDINGS: All participants perceived the tool as easy to use due to a clear overview of topics and only personalized information being provided. Those with limited health literacy indicated that they had learned from the tool and had the intention to continue using it in the future. These participants also expressed the need for the tool to be more actively offered by healthcare professionals, while participants with adequate health literacy expressed the need for more in-depth information.

CONCLUSION: The tailored self-management support tool was perceived as usable by all participants. To better serve them, the tool could be further improved by addressing the additional needs of people with limited as well as adequate health literacy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)46-54
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmacy Practice
Volume31
Issue number1
Early online date6 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Mar 2023

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