Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109504
Thi Thuy Ha DINH , Ann BONNER
Objectives
This study aimed to identify patterns of health literacy among adults with chronic diseases and determine factors associated with each health literacy domain.
Methods
Using data from 600 adults with chronic diseases assessed with the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify clusters with similar health literacy patterns. The number of clusters were identified by coefficient distance in agglomeration schedule, standard deviation within each HLQ domain within each cluster is ≤ 0.6 and meaningful differences of HLQ domains between clusters. Multivariate analysis using generalised linear models with backward modelling technique were performed to test key variables associated with each HLQ domain.
Results
Participants had a mean age of 61.54 years (± 15.3); 45.7 % were females, 56.4 % lived in rural areas, and 82.4 % had less than 12 years of education. Six distinct health literacy profiles were identified, ranging from 26 to 227 individuals per group. Each cluster presented unique health literacy strengths and weaknesses. Higher health literacy was significantly associated with more than 12 years of education, higher family income, being under 65, living in urban areas, receiving care from spouses or children, and having a lower comorbidity index.
Conclusions
These profiles provided valuable insights for hospital administrators, healthcare policymakers, and providers to understand groups needing additional support.
Practice implications
It is crucial for healthcare settings and providers to increase awareness about health literacy and implement educational strategies to assist individuals with varying health literacy levels, especially underserved socioeconomic groups.
{"title":"Cluster analysis of health literacy profiles of adults with chronic diseases","authors":"Thi Thuy Ha DINH , Ann BONNER","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to identify patterns of health literacy among adults with chronic diseases and determine factors associated with each health literacy domain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using data from 600 adults with chronic diseases assessed with the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify clusters with similar health literacy patterns. The number of clusters were identified by coefficient distance in agglomeration schedule, standard deviation within each HLQ domain within each cluster is ≤ 0.6 and meaningful differences of HLQ domains between clusters. Multivariate analysis using generalised linear models with backward modelling technique were performed to test key variables associated with each HLQ domain.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants had a mean age of 61.54 years (± 15.3); 45.7 % were females, 56.4 % lived in rural areas, and 82.4 % had less than 12 years of education. Six distinct health literacy profiles were identified, ranging from 26 to 227 individuals per group. Each cluster presented unique health literacy strengths and weaknesses. Higher health literacy was significantly associated with more than 12 years of education, higher family income, being under 65, living in urban areas, receiving care from spouses or children, and having a lower comorbidity index.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These profiles provided valuable insights for hospital administrators, healthcare policymakers, and providers to understand groups needing additional support.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>It is crucial for healthcare settings and providers to increase awareness about health literacy and implement educational strategies to assist individuals with varying health literacy levels, especially underserved socioeconomic groups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"146 ","pages":"Article 109504"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-25DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109496
M. McGraw , Y. Couturier , I. Gaboury , M.-D. Poirier , M.-E. Poitras
Introduction
The rise in chronic diseases has placed unprecedented pressure on the primary care system in Canada, being the leading cause of mortality and primary care demand. Acceleration on adopting telehealth due to the increased demand for managing chronic conditions has been observed. Further reinforcing primary healthcare’s role as the central point of contact for patients. Rapid implementation without infrastructure and patient-centered support, creating inconsistent care, making interprofessional collaboration essential to ensure coordinated telehealth. Central to this approach is meaningful patient engagement communication, decision-making, and personalized care, remains underexplored in interprofessional telehealth. This study addresses that gap by exploring how patients living with chronic diseases perceive their engagement in interprofessional collaboration within telehealth driven primary care.
Methods
This qualitative study partial findings from a larger research project. Using Trebble’s Journey Mapping approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who had experienced telehealth consultations. In addition to mapping their care journeys, a thematic analysis was conducted to capture patients’ perceptions, experiences, and insights related to their engagement in interprofessional collaboration.
Results
The sample included 22 participants, 63.6 % women and 36.4 % men, age 50–55. Results revealed that while patients desire active partnership in care with interprofessional teams in telehealth, which in this study was delivered exclusively by telephone, collaboration and decision-making remain limited. Key factors influencing engagement included access to relevant information, involvement in care planning, and improved communication among healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
This study reveals a misalignment between patients’ desire to engage in their care regarding the interprofessional team and the current practices of healthcare in telehealth. Despite policy commitments to patient engagement, meaningful collaboration remains limited. Addressing these challenges requires strategies in professional education, communication practices, and institutional leadership. Embedding patient engagement as a core component of care is essential to realizing the full potential of interprofessional collaboration in telehealth.
{"title":"Patients’ engagement in interprofessional telehealth collaboration for chronic diseases management in primary care: A patient perspective","authors":"M. McGraw , Y. Couturier , I. Gaboury , M.-D. Poirier , M.-E. Poitras","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109496","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109496","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The rise in chronic diseases has placed unprecedented pressure on the primary care system in Canada, being the leading cause of mortality and primary care demand. Acceleration on adopting telehealth due to the increased demand for managing chronic conditions has been observed. Further reinforcing primary healthcare’s role as the central point of contact for patients. Rapid implementation without infrastructure and patient-centered support, creating inconsistent care, making interprofessional collaboration essential to ensure coordinated telehealth. Central to this approach is meaningful patient engagement communication, decision-making, and personalized care, remains underexplored in interprofessional telehealth. This study addresses that gap by exploring how patients living with chronic diseases perceive their engagement in interprofessional collaboration within telehealth driven primary care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This qualitative study partial findings from a larger research project. Using Trebble’s Journey Mapping approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who had experienced telehealth consultations. In addition to mapping their care journeys, a thematic analysis was conducted to capture patients’ perceptions, experiences, and insights related to their engagement in interprofessional collaboration.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The sample included 22 participants, 63.6 % women and 36.4 % men, age 50–55. Results revealed that while patients desire active partnership in care with interprofessional teams in telehealth, which in this study was delivered exclusively by telephone, collaboration and decision-making remain limited. Key factors influencing engagement included access to relevant information, involvement in care planning, and improved communication among healthcare professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study reveals a misalignment between patients’ desire to engage in their care regarding the interprofessional team and the current practices of healthcare in telehealth. Despite policy commitments to patient engagement, meaningful collaboration remains limited. Addressing these challenges requires strategies in professional education, communication practices, and institutional leadership. Embedding patient engagement as a core component of care is essential to realizing the full potential of interprofessional collaboration in telehealth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"146 ","pages":"Article 109496"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109494
Paula de-Juan-Iglesias , Stephanie Carretero , Clara García-Terol , Antje Horsch , Emma Motrico
Objective
To co-design an innovative mHealth intervention for preventing mental health disorders after perinatal loss, guided by the preferences of parents and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Methods
Two focus groups were held with parents (n = 9, ≥6 months post-loss) and healthcare professionals (n = 12) within the [blinded for review] project. Using a Patient and Public Involvement approach, discussions took place in the context of the Spanish Public Health System. Data were analysed thematically using a deductive framework informed by predefined categories, while allowing for emerging themes. Reporting followed COREQ and GRIPP2 short-form guidelines.
Results
Participants reported a lack of accessible information and emphasized the need for clear communication, professional guidance, peer support, and freely available resources. They recommended tailored, sensitive, and visually engaging materials, particularly for early gestational losses. Valued features included care reminders and personalised user profiles. Professionals highlighted the importance of their active involvement to ensure relevance and integration into clinical practice.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the value of incorporating parents and professional perspectives in designing an mHealth intervention for perinatal loss, highlighting key components such as communication, tailored content, and support, while calling for further research on effectiveness and scalability.
Practice implications
Providing open-access content on perinatal loss within pregnancy programs and integrating a co-designed mHealth intervention into care pathways may enhance preparedness, reduce stigma, and improve continuity of support for parents, particularly after early or post-discharge losses as miscarriages, stillbirths and neonatal death.
{"title":"Co-design of an innovative mHealth intervention for preventing mental health disorders after perinatal loss: A qualitative study with parents and healthcare professionals (e-Perinatal study)","authors":"Paula de-Juan-Iglesias , Stephanie Carretero , Clara García-Terol , Antje Horsch , Emma Motrico","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109494","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To co-design an innovative mHealth intervention for preventing mental health disorders after perinatal loss, guided by the preferences of parents and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two focus groups were held with parents (n = 9, ≥6 months post-loss) and healthcare professionals (n = 12) within the [blinded for review] project. Using a Patient and Public Involvement approach, discussions took place in the context of the Spanish Public Health System. Data were analysed thematically using a deductive framework informed by predefined categories, while allowing for emerging themes. Reporting followed COREQ and GRIPP2 short-form guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants reported a lack of accessible information and emphasized the need for clear communication, professional guidance, peer support, and freely available resources. They recommended tailored, sensitive, and visually engaging materials, particularly for early gestational losses. Valued features included care reminders and personalised user profiles. Professionals highlighted the importance of their active involvement to ensure relevance and integration into clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study demonstrates the value of incorporating parents and professional perspectives in designing an mHealth intervention for perinatal loss, highlighting key components such as communication, tailored content, and support, while calling for further research on effectiveness and scalability.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>Providing open-access content on perinatal loss within pregnancy programs and integrating a co-designed mHealth intervention into care pathways may enhance preparedness, reduce stigma, and improve continuity of support for parents, particularly after early or post-discharge losses as miscarriages, stillbirths and neonatal death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"146 ","pages":"Article 109494"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Family meetings play a critical role in facilitating communication in palliative care, but more evidence is needed to support their broader adoption in clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to summarize family meetings’ key characteristics and their effects on patient and family member health outcomes in palliative care.
Methods
Six databases were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Eligible studies involved adult patients (≥ 18 years) with serious illnesses and/or their family members; utilized family meetings as the sole intervention; and reported on qualitative and/or quantitative health outcomes.
Results
Of the 790 articles initially identified, 16 met the eligibility criteria. The studies were conducted primarily in the United States and Australia. Family meetings varied in delivery timeframe, processes, components, and facilitators. Preliminary quantitative and qualitative evidence suggests positive effects of family meetings on family members’ psychosocial outcomes. Although four studies reported the impact of family meetings on patients' health care utilization, few directly examined patients’ psychosocial outcomes.
Conclusions
Family meetings are conducted in diverse ways across health care settings. Future studies are needed to employ more robust study designs, collect comprehensive data on both short- and long-term outcomes, and evaluate impacts on health care utilization to comprehensively understand the benefits and effectiveness of family meetings in palliative care.
Practice implications
Standardizing family meeting processes and procedures is essential to ensuring quality. Palliative care providers would benefit from targeted education and training focused on the core intervention elements necessary to maximize the effectiveness of family meetings.
{"title":"Family meetings in palliative care: A systematic review","authors":"Ting Guan , Shirley Otis-Green , Anjalee Sharma , Anita Kuiken , Belinda Mei Chan , Iris Cohen Fineberg , Lixin Song","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Family meetings play a critical role in facilitating communication in palliative care, but more evidence is needed to support their broader adoption in clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to summarize family meetings’ key characteristics and their effects on patient and family member health outcomes in palliative care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Six databases were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Eligible studies involved adult patients (≥ 18 years) with serious illnesses and/or their family members; utilized family meetings as the sole intervention; and reported on qualitative and/or quantitative health outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 790 articles initially identified, 16 met the eligibility criteria. The studies were conducted primarily in the United States and Australia. Family meetings varied in delivery timeframe, processes, components, and facilitators. Preliminary quantitative and qualitative evidence suggests positive effects of family meetings on family members’ psychosocial outcomes. Although four studies reported the impact of family meetings on patients' health care utilization, few directly examined patients’ psychosocial outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Family meetings are conducted in diverse ways across health care settings. Future studies are needed to employ more robust study designs, collect comprehensive data on both short- and long-term outcomes, and evaluate impacts on health care utilization to comprehensively understand the benefits and effectiveness of family meetings in palliative care.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>Standardizing family meeting processes and procedures is essential to ensuring quality. Palliative care providers would benefit from targeted education and training focused on the core intervention elements necessary to maximize the effectiveness of family meetings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"146 ","pages":"Article 109499"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109495
Peter Pype , Kristien Coteur , Claudia Kiessling , Maria Magdalena Bujnowska-Fedak , Yvonne Finn , Zoi Tsimtsiou , Wiebke Frerichs
{"title":"From consensus to action: Innovative assessment strategies for interprofessional communication in health professions education","authors":"Peter Pype , Kristien Coteur , Claudia Kiessling , Maria Magdalena Bujnowska-Fedak , Yvonne Finn , Zoi Tsimtsiou , Wiebke Frerichs","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109495","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109495","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"145 ","pages":"Article 109495"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109492
Jessica Hahne, Brian D. Carpenter
Objective
To examine the influence of the emerging use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) within electronic health records and among the public on the patient-centeredness of communication in healthcare.
Method
In this scoping review, we conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed studies in PubMed and PsycInfo that empirically examined GenAI involvement in clinical communication. We then mapped study findings onto a well-established framework for patient-centered communication.
Results
Our search yielded 67 studies for analysis. Results suggest that integration of GenAI into healthcare communication has the potential to increase clinician efficiency in interacting with patients, to expand channels for patients to obtain information about their healthcare, and to enhance empathy in clinical communication. However, findings also indicate variability in the quality of information produced by GenAI, the potential for GenAI to recast the clinician as a technical supervisor rather than a humanistic care provider, and several issues of equity and privacy raised by engagement with GenAI.
Conclusion
As GenAI becomes more prevalent in healthcare, rigorous examination of GenAI is needed to ensure that its development and implementation aids rather than hinders patient-centered communication. We conclude with an agenda for further research on GenAI grounded in the PCC framework underlying our review.
Practice Implications
Findings from this review highlight the current potential benefits and limitations of GenAI as a third party to clinical communication. Continued efforts toward developing and applying GenAI for effective healthcare communication should focus on protecting patients from potential drawbacks and maximizing nascent benefits for patient-centered communication.
{"title":"Patient and clinician engagement with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI): A scoping review of implications for patient-centered communication","authors":"Jessica Hahne, Brian D. Carpenter","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109492","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To examine the influence of the emerging use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) within electronic health records and among the public on the patient-centeredness of communication in healthcare.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>In this scoping review, we conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed studies in PubMed and PsycInfo that empirically examined GenAI involvement in clinical communication. We then mapped study findings onto a well-established framework for patient-centered communication.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our search yielded 67 studies for analysis. Results suggest that integration of GenAI into healthcare communication has the potential to increase clinician efficiency in interacting with patients, to expand channels for patients to obtain information about their healthcare, and to enhance empathy in clinical communication. However, findings also indicate variability in the quality of information produced by GenAI, the potential for GenAI to recast the clinician as a technical supervisor rather than a humanistic care provider, and several issues of equity and privacy raised by engagement with GenAI.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>As GenAI becomes more prevalent in healthcare, rigorous examination of GenAI is needed to ensure that its development and implementation aids rather than hinders patient-centered communication. We conclude with an agenda for further research on GenAI grounded in the PCC framework underlying our review.</div></div><div><h3>Practice Implications</h3><div>Findings from this review highlight the current potential benefits and limitations of GenAI as a third party to clinical communication. Continued efforts toward developing and applying GenAI for effective healthcare communication should focus on protecting patients from potential drawbacks and maximizing nascent benefits for patient-centered communication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"145 ","pages":"Article 109492"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109491
Charmaine L. Blanchard , Patricia McInerney , Maureen Joffe , Moosa Patel , Holly G. Prigerson , Shane Norris
Introduction
Vulnerable cancer patients are at risk of making uninformed treatment decisions. Most patient decision aids (PtDAs) have been developed for high-income country (HIC) populations, with limited testing or adaptation for use in vulnerable populations, either contextually or geographically. This review aimed to understand how PtDAs address the treatment decision-making needs of vulnerable cancer patients.
Methods
We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of RCTs and other effectiveness studies of PtDAs as well as qualitative studies on the treatment decision-making experiences of vulnerable adults (≥18 years) with cancer. Eight databases were searched. Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened for eligible studies and appraised their methodological quality. Qualitative and quantitative findings were synthesized separately and then integrated to identify gaps and alignments between PtDA design and patient-reported decision support needs.
Results
Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (14 quantitative, 11 qualitative, and one mixed method). Qualitative synthesis showed that vulnerable patients experienced high emotional and psychosocial burdens, preferred in-person support, and often encountered mismatches between their preferred and actual decision-making roles. The narrative synthesis of quantitative studies showed that most PtDAs improved knowledge (5/7 studies) and reduced decisional conflict (6/7), while their effects on shared decision-making were mixed (3/5).
Discussion
PtDAs that provided clear, concise information and were delivered face-to-face better addressed the needs of vulnerable patients than self-administered tools. Although patients reported significant emotional and psychosocial burdens, no PtDAs included structured counselling.
Practice implications
Patient decision aids should be tailored to meet the informational, emotional, and role-support needs of vulnerable cancer patients, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
{"title":"A mixed methods systematic review of cancer treatment decision-making in vulnerable populations","authors":"Charmaine L. Blanchard , Patricia McInerney , Maureen Joffe , Moosa Patel , Holly G. Prigerson , Shane Norris","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Vulnerable cancer patients are at risk of making uninformed treatment decisions. Most patient decision aids (PtDAs) have been developed for high-income country (HIC) populations, with limited testing or adaptation for use in vulnerable populations, either contextually or geographically. This review aimed to understand how PtDAs address the treatment decision-making needs of vulnerable cancer patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of RCTs and other effectiveness studies of PtDAs as well as qualitative studies on the treatment decision-making experiences of vulnerable adults (≥18 years) with cancer. Eight databases were searched. Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened for eligible studies and appraised their methodological quality. Qualitative and quantitative findings were synthesized separately and then integrated to identify gaps and alignments between PtDA design and patient-reported decision support needs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (14 quantitative, 11 qualitative, and one mixed method). Qualitative synthesis showed that vulnerable patients experienced high emotional and psychosocial burdens, preferred in-person support, and often encountered mismatches between their preferred and actual decision-making roles. The narrative synthesis of quantitative studies showed that most PtDAs improved knowledge (5/7 studies) and reduced decisional conflict (6/7), while their effects on shared decision-making were mixed (3/5).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>PtDAs that provided clear, concise information and were delivered face-to-face better addressed the needs of vulnerable patients than self-administered tools. Although patients reported significant emotional and psychosocial burdens, no PtDAs included structured counselling.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>Patient decision aids should be tailored to meet the informational, emotional, and role-support needs of vulnerable cancer patients, particularly in resource-constrained settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"145 ","pages":"Article 109491"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The prevalence of medical and technical jargon makes the dissemination of healthcare information to patients challenging. Plain language (PL) writing, a style of written communication that strives to employ clear and concise language, is a critical tool for overcoming these hurdles, but is hindered by resource constraints. The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to research aimed at assessing its PL writing capacity. The aim of this scoping review was to explore what is known about the use of generative AI platforms for writing in PL.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted via searches across nine databases in Summer 2024. Studies were included if they evaluated a generative AI platform for the use of writing patient education materials (PEMs) in PL and measured best practices (e.g. readability).
Results/Findings
In total, 47 articles were included. Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 29, 61.7 %). Prompt engineering strategies included specifying a reading grade level, audience, health condition, and resource type. AI-generated PEMs improved readability in 28.3 % of the 46 studies that measured Reading Grade level and in 46.2 % of the 26 studies that measured Reading Ease.
Discussion and conclusion
This review highlights the potential of generative AI for writing PEMs and assisting in the promotion of health literacy in patient care. AI models varied in their ability to generate or edit PEMs into plain language. Further research is needed to determine whether this can be done to industry standards and outside English-language contexts.
{"title":"The utility of artificial intelligence in plain language writing: A scoping review","authors":"Mohamed Ugas , Jimmy Huynh , Ashley Lenarcik-Packham , Anjali Kukan , Angad Deol , Rouhi Fazelzad , Stephanie Fernando , Eleni Giannopoulos , Meredith Elana Giuliani , Karen Lawrie , Naa Kwarley Quartey , Rhys Ralliaram , Anujah Thankarajah , Janet Papadakos","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background/Purpose</h3><div>The prevalence of medical and technical jargon makes the dissemination of healthcare information to patients challenging. Plain language (PL) writing, a style of written communication that strives to employ clear and concise language, is a critical tool for overcoming these hurdles, but is hindered by resource constraints. The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to research aimed at assessing its PL writing capacity. The aim of this scoping review was to explore what is known about the use of generative AI platforms for writing in PL.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A scoping review was conducted via searches across nine databases in Summer 2024. Studies were included if they evaluated a generative AI platform for the use of writing patient education materials (PEMs) in PL and measured best practices (e.g. readability).</div></div><div><h3>Results/Findings</h3><div>In total, 47 articles were included. Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 29, 61.7 %). Prompt engineering strategies included specifying a reading grade level, audience, health condition, and resource type. AI-generated PEMs improved readability in 28.3 % of the 46 studies that measured Reading Grade level and in 46.2 % of the 26 studies that measured Reading Ease.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion and conclusion</h3><div>This review highlights the potential of generative AI for writing PEMs and assisting in the promotion of health literacy in patient care. AI models varied in their ability to generate or edit PEMs into plain language. Further research is needed to determine whether this can be done to industry standards and outside English-language contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"145 ","pages":"Article 109483"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146019958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109489
Stephanie N. Christian-Afflu , Rania Sheikh , Anna Strang , Anthony M. Chicaiza , Sabrina Oliveros , Etson Barthelus , Isabel Pagan-Lopez , Kathleen A. Lynch , Lisa C. Diamond , Carlos Javier Gonzalez , Kenneth Offit , Mark E. Robson , Ying L. Liu , Jason P. Gonsky , Linda Bulone , Zsofia K. Stadler , Jennifer L. Hay , Jada G. Hamilton
Objectives
Mainstreaming genetic testing models that allow non-genetics healthcare professionals to order testing and then return results to patients with the aid of genetic counselors have shown promising outcomes. However, prior studies have not addressed the informational and communication needs of minority and medically underserved patients, who stand to benefit from greater genetic testing access. In the initial phase of a trial to develop, test, and evaluate a linguistically and culturally appropriate mainstreaming model for hereditary cancer multigene panel testing among cancer patients, we used formative research methods including expert review, revision, and transcreation to adapt educational materials (pre-test brochure and video) and clinical communication materials (post-test clinic visit summary and family letter).
Methods
We conducted cognitive interviews with participants (N = 61) recruited from two US community hospitals to evaluate the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of these adapted materials and identify areas for further refinement. Participants included a diverse sample of English- (59 %), Haitian Creole- (20 %), and Spanish- (21 %) speaking patients with varying educational levels and cancer diagnoses. Interviews, guided by the Learner Verification and Revision framework, provided insight to enhance materials based on attraction, comprehension, cultural acceptability, and self-efficacy.
Results
Although most participants found the materials useful, informative, and relevant, 41.7 % of participants thought the materials required a lot of mental effort, particularly among Haitian Creole-speaking participants. Critical areas for refinement included a more thorough explanation of gene nomenclature, testing procedures, and types of possible test results. Through integrating expert and participant feedback, the readability of all materials improved (e.g., English-language materials improved from grade 11.4 to 7.6).
Conclusions
Cognitive interviews identified important comprehension gaps that were addressable prior to integrating these materials into a larger trial of the mainstreaming genetic testing model.
Practice Implications
Patient-centered material design is critical to improving the reach of genetic services to diverse audiences.
{"title":"Adapting mainstreaming genetic education and clinical communication materials for cancer patients of varying backgrounds","authors":"Stephanie N. Christian-Afflu , Rania Sheikh , Anna Strang , Anthony M. Chicaiza , Sabrina Oliveros , Etson Barthelus , Isabel Pagan-Lopez , Kathleen A. Lynch , Lisa C. Diamond , Carlos Javier Gonzalez , Kenneth Offit , Mark E. Robson , Ying L. Liu , Jason P. Gonsky , Linda Bulone , Zsofia K. Stadler , Jennifer L. Hay , Jada G. Hamilton","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Mainstreaming genetic testing models that allow non-genetics healthcare professionals to order testing and then return results to patients with the aid of genetic counselors have shown promising outcomes. However, prior studies have not addressed the informational and communication needs of minority and medically underserved patients, who stand to benefit from greater genetic testing access. In the initial phase of a trial to develop, test, and evaluate a linguistically and culturally appropriate mainstreaming model for hereditary cancer multigene panel testing among cancer patients, we used formative research methods including expert review, revision, and transcreation to adapt educational materials (pre-test brochure and video) and clinical communication materials (post-test clinic visit summary and family letter).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted cognitive interviews with participants (<em>N</em> = 61) recruited from two US community hospitals to evaluate the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of these adapted materials and identify areas for further refinement. Participants included a diverse sample of English- (59 %), Haitian Creole- (20 %), and Spanish- (21 %) speaking patients with varying educational levels and cancer diagnoses. Interviews, guided by the Learner Verification and Revision framework, provided insight to enhance materials based on attraction, comprehension, cultural acceptability, and self-efficacy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Although most participants found the materials useful, informative, and relevant, 41.7 % of participants thought the materials required a lot of mental effort, particularly among Haitian Creole-speaking participants. Critical areas for refinement included a more thorough explanation of gene nomenclature, testing procedures, and types of possible test results. Through integrating expert and participant feedback, the readability of all materials improved (e.g., English-language materials improved from grade 11.4 to 7.6).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Cognitive interviews identified important comprehension gaps that were addressable prior to integrating these materials into a larger trial of the mainstreaming genetic testing model.</div></div><div><h3>Practice Implications</h3><div>Patient-centered material design is critical to improving the reach of genetic services to diverse audiences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"146 ","pages":"Article 109489"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109488
Leonie Emilia Witte , Cornelia van Diepen , Jane Murray Cramm
Objectives
Women diagnosed with BRCA mutations face elevated risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Managing inherited risk involves complex, value-laden decisions, yet health services frequently overlook the distinct challenges these women encounter. Person-centred care (PCC) may complement medical management by addressing what matters most to patients. To inform PCC delivery for women diagnosed with BRCA, this study examined which care aspects women themselves prioritize in their trajectory and how perspectives vary within this population.
Methods
We applied Q-methodology to investigate the perspectives of 23 cancer-unaffected, female BRCA carriers in the Netherlands. Participants ranked statements reflecting PCC principles by personal importance, and elaborated on their choices in interviews. Factor analysis with varimax rotation identified shared viewpoints, which were interpreted using factor arrays and enriched with qualitative data.
Results
Three distinct viewpoints were identified, explaining 51 % of the data variance: (1) ‘The Informed Journey’ in which women prioritized comprehensive information to enable decision-making; (2) ‘Care Rooted in Compassion’ whereby women emphasized the importance of empathic, respectful interactions in building trust; and (3) ‘Acknowledging Intimacy and Loss’ in which women prioritized clinicians’ attention to the embodied impacts of their care trajectory, including reproductive and post-surgical or menopausal challenges.
Conclusions
Our findings support the relevance of person-centred approaches in care for women living with genetic cancer risk. Women with BRCA mutations differ in what they value most in their care, yet shared priorities emerge.
Practice implications
Understanding whether a woman emphasises information, compassion, or bodily concerns can guide clinicians in tailoring communication and counselling. Such alignment helps ensure that risk management strategies are inherently responsive to women’s lived experiences and support their broader well-being.
{"title":"What matters most: A Q-methodology study of the viewpoints of women diagnosed with a BRCA gene mutation on person-centred care","authors":"Leonie Emilia Witte , Cornelia van Diepen , Jane Murray Cramm","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pec.2026.109488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Women diagnosed with BRCA mutations face elevated risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Managing inherited risk involves complex, value-laden decisions, yet health services frequently overlook the distinct challenges these women encounter. Person-centred care (PCC) may complement medical management by addressing what matters most to patients. To inform PCC delivery for women diagnosed with BRCA, this study examined which care aspects women themselves prioritize in their trajectory and how perspectives vary within this population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We applied Q-methodology to investigate the perspectives of 23 cancer-unaffected, female BRCA carriers in the Netherlands. Participants ranked statements reflecting PCC principles by personal importance, and elaborated on their choices in interviews. Factor analysis with varimax rotation identified shared viewpoints, which were interpreted using factor arrays and enriched with qualitative data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three distinct viewpoints were identified, explaining 51 % of the data variance: (1) ‘The Informed Journey’ in which women prioritized comprehensive information to enable decision-making; (2) ‘Care Rooted in Compassion’ whereby women emphasized the importance of empathic, respectful interactions in building trust; and (3) ‘Acknowledging Intimacy and Loss’ in which women prioritized clinicians’ attention to the embodied impacts of their care trajectory, including reproductive and post-surgical or menopausal challenges.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings support the relevance of person-centred approaches in care for women living with genetic cancer risk. Women with BRCA mutations differ in what they value most in their care, yet shared priorities emerge.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>Understanding whether a woman emphasises information, compassion, or bodily concerns can guide clinicians in tailoring communication and counselling. Such alignment helps ensure that risk management strategies are inherently responsive to women’s lived experiences and support their broader well-being.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"145 ","pages":"Article 109488"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号