A qualitative study examining health literacy and chronic illness self-management in Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robin J. Jacobs, Baylor College of Medicine; Raymond L. Ownby, College of Osteopathic Medicine; Amarilis Acevedo, Nova Southeastern University; Drenna Waldrop-Valverde, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-04-20
• Publisher: Dove Medical Press
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 Jacobs et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S135370
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Volume: Volume 10
• Start Page: 167
• End Page: 177
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health/Office of Health and Human Services (R56 HL096578 05A1).
• Keywords: older adults; computer interventions; multimorbidity; health disparities; resilience
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Purpose: Chronic illness and low levels of health literacy affect health outcomes for many individuals, particularly older adults and racial/ethnic minorities. This study sought to understand the knowledge, strengths, and areas of need regarding self-management of chronic illness in order to lay the groundwork for content development of an intervention to increase health literacy and maximize patient engagement in chronic disease self-care. Patients and methods: In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted in Spanish and English with 25 older adults with various chronic illnesses. Topics included knowledge and understanding of chronic conditions, medications, and disease self-management skills. Qualitative data were coded by searching text and conducting cross-case analysis. An inductive analysis was then employed to allow for the patterns and themes to emerge. Results: Emerged themes included 1) social support, 2) coping strategies, 3) spirituality, 4) chronic disease health literacy, 5) anger, and 6) depression. While participants had a general overall knowledge of chronic illness, they had deficits in knowledge regarding their own illnesses and medications. Conclusion: Chronic illness self-management is a complex and dynamic behavioral process. This study identified themes that leverage patient motivation to engage in self-care in a personalized manner. This information will guide the development of an intervention to promote health literacy and optimal disease self-management.