Main Information
Project Title: Measuring Organizational Health Literacy at the Primary Health Care Level
Call: Public Call for the Selection of Research Projects of the Targeted Research Program “CRP 2024”
Funder: ARIS – Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Project Duration: October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026
Project Holder: University of Novo mesto, Faculty of Health Sciences
Total Project Value: EUR 20,000.00
Funding Information: The project is co-financed by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (50%) and the Ministry of Health (50%).
Project Leader at FZVCE: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tamara Štemberger Kolnik
Project Description
Organizational Health Literacy (OHL) represents the degree to which health care organizations implement strategies that help patients understand health information, navigate the health care system, engage in the care process, and manage their own health. It is a key component in ensuring better health outcomes, increasing patient safety, and reducing disparities in health care. Despite the existing resources to improve the quality of services related to OHL, there is currently a lack of tools that would enable concrete measurement and evaluation of the effectiveness of health organizations in implementing these strategies.
OHL is particularly important in primary health care, as it is often the first point of contact for patients, and frequently also the last supportive point in rehabilitation or palliative care. Therefore, it is essential that organizations provide clear, accessible information that supports informed decision-making and self-management. OHL is also important in addressing health inequalities, as it can help reduce disparities by ensuring that all patients, regardless of their level of health literacy, can access and understand health information and services.
Studies have also shown that higher levels of OHL are associated with better health outcomes, including greater self-efficacy in treatment, improved management of chronic diseases, and higher patient satisfaction.
The aim of the project is therefore to measure OHL in selected settings based on the “International Self-Assessment Tool for Organizational Health Literacy in Primary Health Care Services (OHL-PHC)” (M-POHL Working Group on Organizational Health Literacy in Primary Health Care Service, 2023). The project is a continuation of the CRP project “Improving Health Literacy for Effective Navigation of the Health Care System” (V3-2327).
Work Packages
The project to improve organizational health literacy comprises five work packages:
WP 1: Preparation and Validation of the Tool
Objective: Translation and validation of the self-assessment tool for health literacy in primary health care.
Methods include double translation of the tool, analysis of translations, and final validation (duration: 4 months).
WP 2: Cultural Adaptation
Objective: Adapt the tool to the Slovenian health care system while maintaining its integrity.
Methods include multidisciplinary expert collaboration, cognitive interviews, and analysis of feedback (duration: 4 months).
WP 3: Pilot Testing of the Tool
Objective: Test the tool in the Slovenian health care environment and assess its practicality.
Methods include conducting a pilot study, collecting, and analyzing data on the usability of the tool.
WP 4: Development of Recommendations
Objective: Formulate recommendations and interventions to improve health literacy.
Methods include developing implementation plans and preparing a monograph with results.
WP 5: Dissemination of Results
Objective: Dissemination of good practices and research findings through conferences, publications, and online communication.
Significance and Objectives of the Project
The significance of this project for scientific and professional development is multifaceted: it advances research methodology through the development and validation of robust tools; it improves the quality of health care by optimizing communication strategies and services; and it contributes to theoretical knowledge about the impact of organizational health literacy on health outcomes.
Its significance for the economy is also substantial: by improving organizational health literacy, it reduces health care costs, increases worker productivity, ensures the long-term sustainability of health systems, and informs public health policies, thereby contributing to better health and economic outcomes.
The project also has a broad social impact, as it contributes to improving public health, reducing health inequalities, empowering patients, enhancing the competence of health professionals, fostering intersectoral cooperation, and ensuring long-term social and economic benefits.
Objectives
To validate and test the “International Self-Assessment Tool for Organizational Health Literacy in Primary Health Care Services (OHL-PHC)” based on the prescribed protocol.
To determine the level of organizational health literacy in selected primary health care settings.
To identify specific areas where organizational health literacy needs improvement, based on measurement results.
To develop recommendations and innovative interventions to improve organizational health literacy, thereby contributing to better primary health care.
To prepare guidelines for implementing measures and approaches to strengthen organizational health literacy in selected primary health care settings.
To accelerate the exchange of good practices and research findings with other institutions engaged in OHL, thus contributing to knowledge dissemination in this field.
Project Results
Report 1: Translation and cultural adaptation of the tool for measuring organizational health literacy.
Report 2: Results of testing the tool for measuring organizational health literacy.
Original scientific article: Presentation of results of the pilot study conducted for tool validation.
Report 3: Development of recommendations and interventions.
