Skip to main content

Table 3 Findings from site-level needs assessment, overview of interventions developed in response to needs assessment, and the focus of each intervention

From: Systematic development and implementation of interventions to OPtimise Health Literacy and Access (Ophelia)

Needs assessment findings

Intervention aim and overview

Focus of intervention

Site #1 Metropolitan municipal council

Many clients lacked confidence in their ability to find and appraise health information, and actively manage their health. Many clients also indicated a low level of social support for health, and difficulties engaging with healthcare providers. Some were found to have higher health literacy overall

The intervention aimed to support volunteers with higher health literacy to act as mentors for disadvantaged, frail, older community members during exercise programs run by the municipal council.

Community volunteers act as local health mentors and so build community members’ capacity to achieve better health outcomes

Site #2 Metropolitan municipal council

Many clients had poor information appraisal skills and found it difficult to engage with healthcare providers. In the workshop staff noted some clients were passive in their interactions with their general practitioner (GP) and were unwilling to discuss their failing health with GPs in case they were put into institutional care.

The intervention aimed to empower clients to optimise their relationship with their GP by screening for client-GP engagement issues and then providing appropriate guidance to clients

Directly improve clients’ health literacy through providing resources or targeted training

Site #3 Metropolitan community nursing service

Many clients experienced difficulties actively managing their health, and struggled to find and appraise health information. Higher scores were seen for trusting healthcare providers. Staff identified inconsistencies in the way diabetes education was delivered across the service, and reported clients were provided with information from multiple sources, which is often unread.

The intervention aimed to improve the quality of diabetes education within the service by using an education checklist and online library of staff resources, tailoring education to each client’s learning style, and use of the teach-back method.

Target clinicians through provision of skills training and resources to support them to build clients’ capacity to self-manage their long term condition

Site #4 Rural community health service

Many clients lack sufficient health information, and reported difficulties navigating the health care system and appraising and understanding health information. Many clients had geographical challenges to accessing care and information. The service has an active pool of volunteers, many of whom would like to be more involved.

The intervention aimed to build community capacity to self-manage health by training existing volunteers of the health service to act as health mentors in their local rural community

Community volunteers act as local health mentors and so build community members’ capacity to achieve better health outcomes

Site #5 Rural community health service

Many clients did not have sufficient information to manage their health, lacked social support for health, had limited ability to appraise health information, and were unable to find good health information. The area has transport limitations, restricting people’s ability to access healthcare and leading to increased social isolation.

The intervention aimed to build community capacity to navigate health information on the web by providing training and resources primarily in community settings.

Directly improve clients’ health literacy through providing resources or targeted training

Site #6 Metropolitan community health service

Many clients had limited ability to navigate the healthcare system or to find and understand health information. Clients reported not knowing the role of the service or how to access it. An opportunity for improving service access between co-located Dental Health and Primary Health Services was identified.

The intervention aimed to build clients’ capacity to navigate local services by implementing a referral pathway between co-located dental (for low-income clients) and primary health care services.

Focus on redesigning existing service procedures to improve access to services

Site #7 Outer metropolitan community health service

Many clients had low scores for social support for health, having sufficient information, navigating the health system and finding health information. Scores for engagement with healthcare providers were higher. Staff in the workshop highlighted difficulties for clients with chronic disease to keep up-to-date with their knowledge.

The interventions included 1) a patient-held record to help clients manage appointments and monitor health goals, 2) a process for Care Coordination in the District Nursing Team was also developed.

1) Directly improve clients’ health literacy through providing resources; 2) Redesign existing service procedures to improve access to services

Site #8 Metropolitan Hospital Admission Risk Program

Many clients had low scores for social support for health, having sufficient information, navigating the health system and finding health information. Scores for engagement with healthcare providers were higher. The workshop highlighted a need for the service to evaluate how clients in crisis are managed.

The intervention aimed to support clients with service navigation during crises. Involved’navigation’ plans and use of the teach-back method in client education about managing health crises.

Target clinicians through provision of skills training and resources to support them to build clients’ capacity to self-manage their long term condition.

Site #9 Regional metropolitan Hospital Admission Risk Program

Many clients lacked information to manage their health and had limited capacity to find, understand and appraise health information. Most clients reported a good relationship with healthcare providers. In the workshop, HARP clinicians reported needing a consistent framework for approaching care, and a need for clients to understand the things they can do to manage their health after discharge from the service.

The intervention aimed to improve the way in which clients’ understand and use their care plans by tailoring education to each client’s learning style, and training clinicians in use of teach-back.

Target clinicians through provision of skills training and resources to support them to build clients’ capacity to self-manage their long term condition.