[Abstract] Assessing Cancer Program Alignment with Health Literacy Metrics: A Tool from the Association of Community Cancer Centers

Presenters

Elana Plotkin¹, Marianne Gandee², Lorna Lucas¹, Tara Perloff^1
1 Association of Community Cancer Centers, Provider Education, Rockville, MD, USA
² Association of Community Cancer Centers, Development, Rockville, MD, USA

Introduction

Although many cancer programs have made significant headway in providing patient-friendly materials, health literacy related to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment follow-up requires on-going attention. Poor health literacy (HL) may result in facing increased risk of medical errors, chronic disease recurrence that leads to higher hospitalization rates, and sub-optimal health outcomes.

Objectives

ACCC seeks to help cancer programs across the country to improve and promote health equity through the application of the HL principles.

Methods

After an environmental scan was completed of relevant quality metrics, an online gap assessment tool was formed to score programs in 6 domains: HL Program; Staff Training; Health Information; Navigation; Technology; Quality Measurement and Improvement.

Results

By completing the assessment tool, cancer programs can identify educational needs and pinpoint areas where targeted education could improve patient care. 39% reported having little to no resources to address HL needs. 42% reported that HL strategy is reactive, with assessments being completed only if an issue arises. 17% report a HL strategy in place to proactively assess patients for HL level. 20% reported no staff trained to assess, prepare, or simplify patient materials. Only 26% reported all written materials at 6^th grade level or below.

Conclusions

Of 60 cancer programs completing the assessment, 100% identified an area for targeted improvement,  indicating that there is work to be done across the board to reach national standards for a health literate organization. Using this report, cancer programs can customize goals for improvement, considering resource level, infrastructure, and patient population.