Conversational Health Literacy Assessment Tool in Rheumatic Diseases
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adapting and implementing the Conversational Health Literacy Assessment Tool (CHAT) in care for people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases
IRAS ID
355851
Contact name
Elena Nikiphorou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Governance Manager, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Health literacy (HL) plays a key role in explaining why people with lower socioeconomic status often have worse health. Recent evidence from studies of patients with inflammatory arthritis shows people with lower HL have poorer health outcomes, including greater use of steroids for treatment, lower use of advanced therapies, and worse disease activity. Unlike other SE factors, such as education, HL can be improved with the right support and intervention.
HL is more than just understanding health information; it encompasses the ability to find, evaluate, and use health information to make good healthcare decisions. It also depends on how well healthcare systems provide clear, accessible information. Since HL challenges vary from person to person, and can change over time, healthcare providers need ways to identify and respond to individual HL needs.
In a previous study, our team explored different HL challenges and how to address them. However, rheumatology healthcare professionals (HCPs) find it difficult to assess patients’ HL. To help, the Conversational Health Literacy Assessment Tool (CHAT) was developed. CHAT is a structured way for HCPs to discuss HL needs with patients, helping them make informed health decisions.
The CHAT-in rheumatic diseases (iRD) project aims to tailor CHAT for rheumatic disease care in multiple languages, train HCPs to use it effectively, and test it in practice. By helping healthcare providers better understand and address HL needs, this project could improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0526
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion