Understanding Health Literacy in Otolaryngology Patients - Key Factors and Impact on Medical Practice

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared health literacy (HL) as a public health goal, yet global studies consistently reveal inadequate HL levels. The implications of low HL extend to delayed diagnoses, increased healthcare costs and mortality rates. This multi-center prospective cross-sectional study aims to achieve a deeper understanding for health literacy and corresponding challenges in otorhinolaryngology. 27 otolaryngology outpatient practices, 18 otolaryngology hospitals, and 14 university otolaryngology departments took part in data collection during the otolaryngology awareness week in June 2021 in Germany. Participants were v olunteer sample of adult otolaryngology patients with smell, taste, and hearing impairment, head and neck tumor, inflammation or infections. Patients completed a layman-friendly questionnaire regarding patient orientation, evidence-based medicine, need for research, and HL. HL scores were determined using the 3 items of the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS), ranging from 0 to 15, with enhanced scores indicating higher HL. Important variables impacting HL were examined using Multiple Linear Regression Models and Elastic Net Regression. 2023 patient responses (46% female; 49% 46–75 years old) were analyzed. The mean HL score was 9.73 ± 1.37. Elastic net regression and multiple linear regression models identified predictors for HL, regardless of disease. Most important were hearing impairment, education, financial issues, and patient preferences and thus represent key factors for HL. These findings offer valuable insights into the patients’ view of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery and set a precedent for examining HL across medical fields.