Health literacy informed approach may help treat kids with chronic functional constipation

The USCAP facilitates the management of functional constipation by using a health literacy-informed approach to provide instructions for pharmacotherapies and lifestyle modifications.

The authors carried out this study to assess the Uniformed Services Constipation Action Plan (USCAP) as an evidence-based, personalized, clinical action tool with pictograms to aid clinicians and families in the management of functional constipation.

This study included part 1 (pictogram validation) and part 2 (assessment). For part 1, pictogram transparency, translucency, and recall were assessed by parent survey (transparency ≥85%, mean translucency score ≥5, recall ≥85% required for validation). For part 2, the USCAP was assessed by parents, clinical librarians, and clinicians.

Parental perceptions (n = 65) were assessed using the Consumer Information Rating Form (17 questions) to gauge comprehensibility, design quality, and usefulness. Readability was assessed by 5 formulas and a Readability Composite The score was calculated. Clinical librarians (n = 3) used the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool to measure understandability (19 questions) and actionability (7 questions) (>80% rating was acceptable). Suitability was assessed by clinicians (n = 34) using Doak's Suitability Assessment of Materials (superior ≥70% rating).

The following findings were highlighted-

a. All 12 pictograms demonstrated appropriate transparency, translucency, and recall.

b. Parental perceptions reflected appropriate comprehensibility, design quality, and usefulness.

c. The Readability Composite Score was consistent with a fifth-grade level.

d. Clinical librarians reported acceptable understandability and actionability.

e. Clinicians reported superior suitability.

Therefore, the authors concluded that "The USCAP met all criteria for clinical implementation and future study of USCAP implementation for treating children with chronic functional constipation."