Healthcare Personnel Experiences With Health Literacy Sensitivity in Relation to Work Satisfaction and Stress: A Qualitative Study

Malene Nerbøvik Stavdal,1,2 Marie Hamilton Larsen,3 Astrid Klopstad Wahl,1 Ingeborg Strømseng Sjetne,4 Anners Lerdal,1,2 Caryl L Gay,2,5 Christine Råheim Borge1– 3 1Department of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; 2Research Department, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway; 3Department of Postgraduate Studies, Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway; 4Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Health Services, Oslo, Norway; 5Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Malene Nerbøvik Stavdal, Department of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway, P.O. Box 1111 Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway, Tel +47 40223099, Email [email protected]: To qualitatively explore healthcare personnel’s (HCP) experiences with health literacy sensitivity in relation to work satisfaction and stress. Being HL sensitive means that HCP have adequate knowledge, skills, and attitudes to follow up on patients’ HL needs.Methods: Four focus group interviews were conducted with 30 hCP from a medium-sized general hospital in Oslo, Norway. We used inductive thematic analysis developed by Braun & Clark. NVivo v12 software assisted data analysis.Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) HCP experiences with HL (2) HCP experience barriers with HL sensitivity, and (3) HCP collaboration and communication are essential for HL. Variability in HL understanding among HCP may lead to challenges in providing patient-centered care. Factors such as heavy workloads, cultural barriers, and organizational limitations hinder HL sensitivity and can cause frustration and stress among HCP.Conclusion: Targeted interventions and organizational support are essential to address HCP’s obstacles with HL sensitivity. Utilizing improved communication techniques and HL tools may help reduce stress and frustration.Practice Implications: To optimize HL sensitivity, it is imperative to prioritize HCP needs. Organizations should strive to facilitate HL in a way that does not impose additional stress on HCP.Keywords: health literacy, health literacy sensitivity, health literacy responsiveness, hospital, work satisfaction, work stress