Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.OT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Elise Bloch

Second Advisor

Nicole Quint

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2025

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Health literacy is the capacity to access, understand, evaluate, and utilize health information to make important and effective health-informed decisions. While research has extensively explored health literacy assessment tools and interventions, there is a scarcity of studies detailing the implementation of structured health literacy education programs within outpatient pediatric rehabilitation settings. Addressing this gap, a targeted Health Literacy Education Program was developed and executed at the Center for Pediatric Development, a hospital-based outpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility in Boynton Beach, FL. I created the program to enhance the health literacy skills of the outpatient pediatric rehabilitation team, thereby enhancing their interactions with parents and families of children receiving therapeutic services. Over approximately three months, eight rehabilitation team members participated in the program, which encompassed interactive educational modules and focus group discussions centered on key health literacy domains: navigation, communication, and institutional practices. Evaluation through both qualitative and quantitative measures revealed significant improvements in the rehabilitation team participants' knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors related to health literacy. Post-program assessments indicated increased confidence and competence in conveying health information, leading to more effective engagement with families. Subsequently, this empowered parents and families to make health-informed decisions regarding their child's care. The successful implementation of this Health Literacy Education Program emphasized the critical role of structured educational initiatives in advancing health literacy within outpatient pediatric rehabilitation settings. By fostering improved interactions between healthcare providers and families, such programs can contribute to better health outcomes and patient/family satisfaction. Future research should explore the scalability and long-term impact of health literacy education programs across diverse clinical environments.

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Keywords

communication; education program; family engagement and family-centered care; health literacy; implementation science; outpatient pediatric rehabilitation

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