Summary
This publication summarises a review of the suitability of publicly available resources on gout medication and its use – for health professionals as well as consumers and their whānau. The review was undertaken in the context of improving health literacy.
The publication outlines:
- the review processes
- the health literacy skills people with gout need and the literacy skills they actually have
- findings from both the resource assessment and interviews with consumers and health professionals
- recommendations for improving resources and how they are used.
Gout is a condition that, while serious, is usually able to be managed with appropriate use of preventive medication.
Many health education resources are filled with useful factual information but the presentation of this is often too densely worded, too long, or written using health terms that are not always well explained.
It is important for health professionals to discuss resource content with patients and their whānau to ensure they understand important messages about gout.
Information in this publication may help people who develop gout education resources make their messages clear and relevant for the intended audience. This may be people with gout, their whānau or health professionals.