No Faculty Required: Use of a Health Literacy Low Inference Self-Assessment Measure to Promote Behavior Change

Objective: To determine if use of a health literacy low-inference, self-assessment measure (LISAM), promoted behavior change as measured by increased use of health literacy communication skills (HLCS).

Methods: The LISAM is a tool used by educators to self-assess their performances after giving a lecture. The tool is low inference because it self-assesses behaviors that are specific, with little room for subjectivity. Forty-four third-year medical students self-assessed HLCS using a LISAM modified to include health literacy communication skills (LISAM-HLCS). Self-assessment followed participation in an audio recorded, standardized patient encounter and again after listening to the recording. Students also created 3 written goals for improvement. This session was repeated 1 week later.

Results: At Session 2, 71.4% of students met at least 2 of their 3 self-created objectives. The 3 most commonly created objectives were using teach-back, asking more open ended questions, and obtaining patient input into the management plan. Use of the LISAM increased HLCS use at Session 2 versus Session 1 as assessed by both students and study investigators (P < .05).

Conclusions: Without faculty present, students met and adjusted objectives, catalyzing changes in HLCS. The LISAM-HLCS has the potential to empower students to improve communication skills and to reduce dependence on faculty observations.