Health Literacy in Hospital Outpatient Waiting Areas: An Observational Study of What Is Available to and Accessed by Consumers

Aim: To investigate: (1) the types of health information, resources, and supports available to consumers in hospital outpatient waiting areas and (2) whether these are accessed by consumers. Background: Outpatient waiting areas commonly offer health information, resources, and supports to improve the health literacy of waiting consumers. It is not known what is available to or accessed by consumers in hospital outpatient rehabilitation waiting areas. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the waiting areas of two hospital outpatient rehabilitation services. Direct observations (in person and video recordings) of the waiting areas were used to describe what health information, resources, and supports were available and, if present, what was being accessed and for how long by consumers. Results: Fifteen hours of in-person and video-recorded observations were documented on purpose-designed instruments across the two sites during 18 observation sessions over 8 days. A total of 68 different health information and resources were identified. Approximately half were specifically for consumers (Site 1: 57%; Site 2: 53%). Only seven (10%) were accessed by consumers across both sites. Each resource (n = 7) was only accessed once. Health resources were used by consumers for 0.8% (3/360 min) of the observation time at each site. Health and social supports and use of other non health resources were also observed. Conclusions: Available health information, resources, and supports were infrequently and briefly accessed by consumers. Further research is required to explore what consumers want and need to improve the health literacy responsiveness of hospital outpatient waiting areas.