Influence of Health Literacy and Cancer among Rural Patients in Rehabilitation

Beth Hunter, PhD, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital & Mark Dignan, PhD, University of Kentucky, Markey Cancer Center

The purpose of this study is to begin to expand understanding of the intersection of health literacy for the rural individual who has been diagnosed at some point with cancer and have taken part in inpatient rehabilitation either for their cancer diagnosis or a comorbidity, their family/caregivers, the rehabilitation facility and the community healthcare system they will return to, in terms of rehabilitation services and outcomes.

1. Begin to describe the health literacy level of the study population
2. Assess the assets and barriers in the study population in terms of facilitating health communication and addressing potential health literacy issues.
3. Address the impact of health literacy on the transition from a rehabilitation facility back to a person’s home community.