Week 3 – Survey Says! Gathering More Data on Health Literacy
Anya L -
Hello everyone! This week, I focused on expanding the distribution of my health literacy survey to gather a more diverse and representative sample. While last week’s responses provided valuable insights, I recognized that the demographic representation was still somewhat limited. To address this, I implemented a new strategy: instead of relying on front-desk staff to distribute surveys, I personally engaged with patients, explaining the purpose of the study and encouraging participation. Additionally, I coordinated with medical assistants to provide surveys to patients after their appointments when they had a few extra minutes to complete them. These efforts have already started to yield results, with more patients from different backgrounds participating.
Although I have not yet analyzed the data, I am beginning to observe patterns in how participants interact with the survey. Some patients take their time reading through each question carefully, while others seem to rush through, potentially indicating differences in engagement levels or comfort with the material. Additionally, I have noticed that certain questions take longer for participants to answer, which may suggest areas where health literacy challenges are more pronounced. Once I gather enough responses, I plan to examine which types of questions elicit the most uncertainty or confusion, as this could highlight key areas where the clinic’s communication strategies might need improvement. I might also edit my survey to include a ranking on how well patients understand each question.
Looking back, I realize that I could have benefited from setting up a clearer data organization system earlier in the process. While I have been tracking responses, a more structured coding system would have made analysis smoother, so I plan to refine that. Additionally, conducting brief follow-up interviews with a few survey participants might have provided more qualitative data. Moving forward, I will complete the survey collection and begin a more detailed data analysis, looking at correlations between different demographic factors and specific literacy challenges. This information will be instrumental in making evidence-based recommendations for improving communication strategies at the clinic. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more insights next week!
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