Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2020

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Ashleigh Heter

Second Advisor

Kristi Frisbee

Third Advisor

Gena Coomes

Fourth Advisor

Alicia Mason Collins

Abstract

Data shows that limited health literacy is prevalent throughout the United States. This data has also found a correlative relationship between limited health literacy and poor health outcomes. An individual’s health literacy level affects many areas of their health, including their ability to effectively manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Awareness of an individual’s health literacy level allows for targeted interventions and a potential improvement for a patient’s health outcomes. The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) is a validated screening tool that allows for the identification of a patient’s likely health literacy level. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing scholarly project was to identify the health literacy levels of pre, type one or type two diabetic patients attending the Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) classes led by the certified diabetic educator (CDE) of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHCSEK) clinics, through the utilization of the NVS screening tool. The surveyed population included diabetic individuals aged 18 and over who attended group DSME classes in December of 2020 at one rurally located CHCSEK clinic. Due to sample size, the project results were not statistically significant; however, it was concluded that there remains a continued need for health literacy level identification and diabetic education within the rurally located Southeast Kansas clinic community.

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