Introducing the concept of Health Literacy to German Occupational Therapists

Background: Health Literacy (HL) concerns people’s ability to access, understand, appraise and apply health information in different contexts throughout the life course. It therefore has considerable effect on everyday life... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Health Literacy (HL) concerns people’s ability to access, understand, appraise and apply health information in different contexts throughout the life course. It therefore has considerable effect on everyday life and occupations. While a hot topic in European public health, no research from European Occupational Therapy (OT) has been published on the relevance and application of the concept.
Method:
A mapping review was carried out to inform a participatory action research (PAR) approach. Three focus groups were conducted with an overall of 16 participants, introducing HL to German OT practitioners, students and teachers.
Results:
The mapping review resulted in ten categories across four topics relevant for consideration for OT with regard to HL. Focus groups revealed little prior knowledge but a good fit of basic assumptions in the profession with HL and a skill-set for fostering HL in clients, especially due to concepts such as client-centred practice and shared-decision making. HL was therefore identified as profound to the profession.
Conclusion:
HL should be disseminated, for example through the professional curriculum and trainings for OTs in order to keep up-to-date, provide client-centred services and contribute to public health discourse.
Application to Practice:
Participants easily linked theoretical concepts of HL to their daily work. Examples for practice and education were given throughout the focus groups. Ongoing reflection on one’s own HL as well as the client’s was suggested.