Date Presented 04/03/2025
The SMMART Clinic offers free medical and rehabilitative services to a predominantly Hispanic and uninsured population. This presentation will explain the development of accessible patient education for mental wellness, chronic pain, and nutrition.
Primary Author and Speaker: Aubrey C. Lemon
Additional Authors and Speakers: Marissa Gilbertson, Kimberley Persons, Amanda Stolle
Contributing Authors: Susan Alcott, Leah Eggan, Valerie Josephson, Katie Lake, Alison Tokkesdal
BACKGROUND: Hispanics and Latinos are among the largest, fastest-growing minorities in the U.S. and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy, health, and cultural diversity; however, they face adverse living conditions due to social determinants of health and barriers to care such as provider biases, limited access, and work-family conflicts (Allen et al., 2017). Additional obstacles include racism, stigma, language barriers, and negative experiences with providers (Bui et al., 2022). St. Mary’s Medical and Rehabilitative Therapies Clinic (SMMART) is an interdisciplinary primary-care clinic that primarily serves uninsured Hispanics, with care provided by students and faculty.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient education materials for a community-based clinic.
DESIGN: This study used a mixed methods design.
METHODS: Readability of patient educational materials was reviewed in both English and Spanish using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-AV) and readability scores were measured using Gunning-Fog Index, SMOG, and Flesch-Kincaid. The website was evaluated using the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE). Key shareholders participated in focus groups to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
RESULTS: 17 participants completed the PEMAT-AV and participated in the focus groups. 64.7% OT, 23.5% PA, 5.9% Nursing, 5.9% Administrators. The average score on the PEMAT-AV was 94.63% understandability and 92.20% actionability. The themes included the Spanish-speaking population, occupational therapy, and primary healthcare.
CONCLUSION AND IMPACT STATEMENT: We identified a need for patient education materials that can be used long-term to help reduce stigma and language barriers. In the field of occupational therapy, we can support the clinic’s patients by addressing their physical and mental health needs holistically, fostering trust and positive attitudes towards care.
References
Allen, E. M., Call, K. T., Beebe, T. J., McAlpine, D. D., & Johnson, P. J. (2017). Barriers to care and health care utilization among the publicly insured. Medical Care, 55(3), 207–214. https://doi.org/10.1097/mlr.0000000000000644
Bui, J., Waters, A., Ghertner, R., Allen, E. H., Clemans-Cope, L., Taylor, K. J., & Ramos, C. (2022). Addressing substance use and social needs of people of color with substance use disorders. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/a4fff6f9db6623b3f867afa203fcf334/Addressing-Substance-Use-and-Social-Needs-of-People-of-Color-112220
