MS

thesisHyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for developing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Because most of the research on CHD has been done on males many questions exist concerning the cause and impact of CHD in women. This thesis is a content validation study for the instrument entitled Treatment of Hyperlipidemia in Postmenopausal Women (THPW). THPW was developed to examine how nurse practitioners are treating hyperlipidemia in postmenopausal women to determine if they are knowledgeable about, persuaded by, and adhering to national guidelines as a standard of care. Content validation of THPW includes item generation of the instrument and review of its contents through two groups of experts. This is the first tool to ascertain nurse practitioners' practice trends related to the prevention of CHD

Health literacy and the patient with heart failure--implications for patient care and research: a consensus statement of the Heart Failure Society of America.

BackgroundLow health literacy compromises patient safety, quality health care, and desired health outcomes. Specifically, low health literacy is associated with decreased knowledge of one's medical condition, poor medication recall, nonadherence to treatment plans, poor self-care behaviors, compromised physical and mental health, greater risk of hospitalization, and increased mortality.MethodsThe health literacy literature was reviewed for: definitions, scope, risk factors, assessment, impact on health outcomes (cardiovascular disease and heart failure), and interventions. Implications for future research and for clinical practice to address health literacy in heart failure patients were summarized.ResultsGeneral health literacy principles should be applied to patients with heart failure, similar to others with chronic conditions. Clinicians treating patients with heart failure should address health literacy using five steps: recognize the consequences of low health literacy, screen patients at risk, document literacy levels and learning preferences, and integrate effective strategies to enhance patients' understanding into practice.ConclusionAlthough the literature specifically addressing low health literacy in patients with heart failure is limited, it is consistent with the larger body of health literacy evidence. Timely recognition of low health literacy combined with tailored interventions should be integrated into clinical practice

Health literacy and the patient with heart failure--implications for patient care and research: a consensus statement of the Heart Failure Society of America.

BackgroundLow health literacy compromises patient safety, quality health care, and desired health outcomes. Specifically, low health literacy is associated with decreased knowledge of one's medical condition, poor medication recall, nonadherence to treatment plans, poor self-care behaviors, compromised physical and mental health, greater risk of hospitalization, and increased mortality.MethodsThe health literacy literature was reviewed for: definitions, scope, risk factors, assessment, impact on health outcomes (cardiovascular disease and heart failure), and interventions. Implications for future research and for clinical practice to address health literacy in heart failure patients were summarized.ResultsGeneral health literacy principles should be applied to patients with heart failure, similar to others with chronic conditions. Clinicians treating patients with heart failure should address health literacy using five steps: recognize the consequences of low health literacy, screen patients at risk, document literacy levels and learning preferences, and integrate effective strategies to enhance patients' understanding into practice.ConclusionAlthough the literature specifically addressing low health literacy in patients with heart failure is limited, it is consistent with the larger body of health literacy evidence. Timely recognition of low health literacy combined with tailored interventions should be integrated into clinical practice