ความรู้และความเข้าใจด้านความรอบรู้ทางสุขภาพของนักกายภาพบำบัดไทย ในการปฏิบัติงานทางคลินิก: การศึกษาเชิงสำรวจภาคตัดขวาง
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy (HL) is a critical competency for physical therapists (PTs) to effectively communicate and manage rehabilitation. However, research on HL awareness among Thai PTs is limited, and a lack of understanding may hinder therapeutic outcomes.
Objective: To investigate the knowledge and understanding regarding HL application among Thai PTs in clinical practice.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey recruited PTs with at least one year of clinical experience in Thailand via online platforms. Data were collected through an online questionnaire between January and December 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 118 PTs participated mean age = 39.10 ± 9.86 years; mean experience = 16.17 ± 10.09 years. Findings revealed that 53.39% of participants were unfamiliar with the term "Health Literacy." Among those who were familiar with the term, only 35.29% were able to provide a completely correct definition. Regarding in-depth understanding, correct response rates were low for HL assessment (37.93%), influencing factors (24.14%), and tailoring care plans (20.69%). Despite these gaps, 65.52% recognized that adequate patient HL leads to positive clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: Thai PTs possess limited knowledge and understanding of various HL aspects. These results highlight an urgent need for structured educational initiatives to strengthen HL competencies. Enhancing the integration of HL into clinical practice is essential for improving healthcare quality and long-term patient outcomes.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
World Health Organization. Health Promotion Glossary [Internet]. 1998 [cited 2024 July 5th]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/ WHO-HPR-HEP-98.1
Sorensen K, Van den Broucke S, Fullam J, Doyle G, Pelikan J, Slonska Z, et al. Health literacy and public health: a systematic review and integration of definitions and models. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:80.
Institute of Medicine Committee on Health L. In: Nielsen-Bohlman L, Panzer AM, Kindig DA, editors. Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US) Copyright 2004 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.; 2004.
Bilek-Sawhney B, Reicherter EA, Yatta BS, Duranko SG. Health Literacy: Physical Therapists' Perspectives. The Internet J Allied Health Sci Pract. 2012;10(2).
Simkins J, Breakwell R, Kumar K. Physiotherapists' views and experiences of health literacy in clinical practice. Musculoskelet Care. 2023;21(4):1204-12.
Haun JN, Patel NR, French DD, Campbell RR, Bradham DD, Lapcevic WA. Association between health literacy and medical care costs in an integrated healthcare system: a regional population based study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:249.
Keim-Malpass J, Letzkus LC, Kennedy C. Health literacy and the Affordable Care Act: a policy analysis for children with special health care needs in the USA. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2015;8:31-6.
Koh HK, Berwick DM, Clancy CM, Baur C, Brach C, Harris LM, et al. New federal policy initiatives to boost health literacy can help the nation move beyond the cycle of costly 'crisis care'. Health Aff (Millwood). 2012;31(2):434-43.
Nilnate W, Hengpraprom S, Hanvoravongchai, P. Level of Health Literacy in Thai Elders, Bangkok, Thailand. J Health Res. 2017;30(5): 315–21.
Heijmans M, Waverijn G, Rademakers J, van der Vaart R, Rijken M. Functional, communicative and critical health literacy of chronic disease patients and their importance for self-management. Patient Educ Couns. 2015;98(1):41-8.
Intarakamhang U, Khammungkul J, Boocha P. General health literacy scale for Thais and comparison between age groups. Heliyon. 2022;8(5):e09462.
Schwendemann H, Thieme H. Health literacy and the role of therapeutic professionals: A scoping review / Gesundheitskompetenz und die Rolle der Therapieberufe: Ein scoping Review. Int J Health Prof. 2023;10:161-72.
Aboumatar HJ, Carson KA, Beach MC, Roter DL, Cooper LA. The impact of health literacy on desire for participation in healthcare, medical visit communication, and patient reported outcomes among patients with hypertension. J Gen Intern Med. 2013;28(11):1469-76.
Lambert M, Luke J, Downey B, Crengle S, Kelaher M, Reid S, et al. Health literacy: health professionals' understandings and their perceptions of barriers that Indigenous patients encounter. BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14:614.
The Coverage. Thailand has a sufficient number of physical therapists, council president confirms the main problem lies in employment, with only half working in the profession [Internet]. Updated 2021 Mar 23 [cited 2024 Jul 5]. [Available from: https://www.thecoverage.info/news/content/1279] (In Thai).
Inthararat A. Health literacy of Health Professionals. J R Thai Army Nurses. 2015; 15(3):174-78 (In Thai).
Galati C, Adams R, Graham K, Reynolds K, Zametin J. Health Literacy and Written Communication in Skilled Nursing/Subacute Facilities.OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2018;38(2):131-8.
Suthivasinon P, Pasunon P. Sampling Strategies for Qualitative Research. Parichart J 2016;29(2): 31-48 (In Thai).
Nutbeam D. Health literacy as a public health goal: a challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st century. Health Promotion International. 2000;15(3):259-67.
Guner MD, Ekmekci PE. A Survey Study Evaluating and Comparing the Health Literacy Knowledge and Communication Skills Used by Nurses and Physicians. Inquiry. 2019;56: 46958019865831.
Mor-Anavy S, Lev-Ari S, Levin-Zamir D. Health Literacy, Primary Care Health Care Providers, and Communication. Health Lit Res Pract.2021; 5(3):e194-e200.
