Health Literacy Needs of Acute Pancreatitis Patients During the Diagnosis and Treatment Process Under the Lens of the Timing It Right Theory: A Qualitative Study

Xia Su; Shuli Ma; Xiaoxi Yang; Can Zhang; Weiwei Chen

doi:10.2147/PPA.S444955

Health Literacy Needs of Acute Pancreatitis Patients During the Diagnosis and Treatment Process Under the Lens of the Timing It Right Theory: A Qualitative Study

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024 Feb 26:18:507-517. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S444955. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Xia Su^{1

2}, Shuli Ma³, Xiaoxi Yang⁴, Can Zhang¹, Weiwei Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
² School of Nursing & Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
³ Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
⁴ School of Health and Wellness, Panzhihua University, Panzhihua, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
⁵ Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Background: The incidence and recurrence rate of acute pancreatitis (AP) continues to increase worldwide. The risk of AP attack and recurrence is closely related to the patient's health literacy. Previous studies have shown that AP patients had low levels of health literacy. Understanding patients' experience in AP's diagnosis and treatment process and their health literacy needs might significantly improve their health status.

Objective: This study aims to understand the experience of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients in the diagnostic and treatment process and explore their health literacy needs at various phases of this process.

Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach based on Timing It Right theory. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to select 31 participants diagnosed with AP at various phases of the diagnosis and treatment process. These patients were selected from the Pancreatitis Treatment Centers of two tertiary hospitals in Eastern China. Subsequently, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the selected participants. The qualitative data was analyzed using the Colaizzi's method.

Results: The themes of AP patients' experiences and health literacy needs at various phases of the diagnosis and treatment process were presented as follows. 1. Diagnosis phase: inability to obtain disease information, psychological support seeking, and change unhealthy lifestyle; 2. Hospitalization phase: disease treatment information needs and medical professionals' healthcare. 3. Discharge Preparation phase: fear of recurrence, individualized healthy lifestyle instruction. 4. Home Recovery phase: self-management, continuous healthcare needs, and family support.

Conclusion: AP patients' HL needs and health-related problems vary during the diagnosis and treatment process. Medical professionals should comprehend AP patients' changing needs and individual differences, provide continuous healthcare, and involve families in patient management. These factors support patients' long-term self-management and preserve their overall health.

Keywords: Timing It Right; acute pancreatitis; health literacy need; qualitative study.

Grants and funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82004291); The 333 High-level Talents Training Project of Jiangsu Province; The Foundation Project of Medicine College of Yangzhou University (Grant No. SBLC22005, SBHL22015).