Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Health literacy is a core element of public health, involving the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and use information to maintain well-being. In the United States, it aligns with an average reading level of about an eighth grader, which continues to decline over time. As pharmacists serve as the final point of contact in most outpatient settings, their ability to communicate effectively at this literacy level is crucial. This study examines how pharmacies address this challenge using qualitative methods, including health literacy assessments of patient consent forms and stakeholder interviews with pharmacy technicians about resource use. Findings show materials higher than national literacy levels and above the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health’s sixth-grade recommendation. Interviews reveal time constraints that aren’t conducive to teach-back methods and the utilization of all pharmacy services. The results might highlight the need for improved communication, patient engagement, and policy attention to reading level standards in healthcare.
Disciplines
Patient Safety | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion
Publication Date
Winter 12-24-2025
Language
English
Faculty Mentor of Honors Project
Anita Corbitt
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Nwaege, Grace, "Lost in Translation: How Health Literacy Impacts Pharmaceutical Transactions from Healthcare Professionals to Patients" (2025). 2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects. 11.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_fall2025/11
Included in
Patient Safety Commons, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons