A Critique of the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults

Clin Nurse Spec. 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):308-12. doi: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000156.

Abstract

Effective healthcare relies on the ability to communicate with patients. Ninety-eight million Americans are estimated to have limited health literacy that can impair their ability to read and interpret health-related education and information. Low health literacy is associated with higher mortality and 30-day hospital readmissions. Clinical nurse specialists and other advanced practice nurses must be able to evaluate and select a health literacy assessment instrument that is both reliable and produces valid data for the populations they serve. To assist with this important decision-making process, the psychometric properties of the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults are critiqued in the following article.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Health Literacy*
  • Humans
  • Nurse Clinicians
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results