Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-9-2026
Year of Publication
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Health Sciences
Department/School/Program
Rehabilitation Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Renee Causey-Upton
Second Advisor
Dr. Patrick Kitzman
Abstract
Health literacy is the ability to utilize information to make decisions about one’s health or the health of others. It is estimated that a large percentage of the population has inadequate health literacy, yet healthcare professionals, including rehabilitation providers often do not have procedures in place for assessing and addressing the health literacy of their patients. Related to orthopedic patients, a large portion of the interventions are educational in nature. Therefore, it is important that the health literacy of orthopedic patients be considered when addressing their needs perioperatively. There is little currently published related to health literacy among rehabilitation providers of perioperative orthopedic education. It is essential to describe the health literacy practices of the occupational and physical therapy providers who address perioperative education in their interventions with patients.
This dissertation includes three studies that explore the health literacy practices of rehabilitation providers of perioperative orthopedic education. The first study surveyed rehabilitation providers who provided orthopedic education to their patients at various stages of the surgical and recovery process. Results provided an overview of the experiences of rehabilitation providers with health literacy and found a need for additional training related to health literacy and working with patients with low health literacy levels. A second study used a qualitative descriptive design to describe the experiences of occupational and physical therapy rehabilitation providers related to how they address health literacy in their practice during perioperative orthopedic education. Results indicated that providers were aware of the importance of modifying educational interventions for those patients with low health literacy levels, but lacked procedures and resources to assess or implement strategies with their patients. The purpose of the third study was to determine if a training on health literacy would have an impact on the knowledge and perceived confidence of occupational and physical therapy rehabilitation providers of perioperative orthopedic education. This study was guided by results of studies 1 and 2. Participants engaged in a training session related to working with patients with low levels of health literacy. Results showed statistically significant improvement in the knowledge and perceived confidence of the participants.
Findings from the three dissertation studies illustrate the need for additional training of occupational and physical therapy providers of perioperative orthopedic education. Additional training is needed in areas related to: teaching and learning methods, modifying educational interventions, health literacy assessment, working with patients with low levels of health literacy, and locating resources to help with interventions for those with low health literacy. The dissertation culminated with a model for that describes the use of technology to delivery perioperative orthopedic education that embraces evidence-based teaching principles for healthcare education that can be used with patients. Additional research is needed to optimally prepare rehabilitation providers of perioperative orthopedic education to work with those with low health literacy effectively.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.112
Recommended Citation
Keener, Allen, "THE HEALTH LITERACY PRACTICES OF REHABILITATION PROVIDERS OF PERIOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC EDUCATION" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences. 97.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/rehabsci_etds/97
Included in
Occupational Therapy Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Physical Therapy Commons
