A Scalability Assessment of an Organizational Health Literacy Initiative to Support Health Professionals in Developing Quality Consumer Information.

Abstract

Scalable initiatives are needed to support health professionals in developing quality health information for patients. The electronic Patient Communication Portal (ePCP) is an evidence-based organizational health literacy digital platform and process to support staff in creating quality, accessible health information that adheres to health literacy principles. This study applied the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (ISAT) to explore scalability and identify enablers and constraints for scaling the ePCP in an Australian jurisdiction. Focus groups with key informants were conducted to examine the 10 ISAT domains, which provide a framework for assessing scalability. Informants answered predefined questions (scored 0-3) and engaged in open-ended discussions for each domain. Mean domain scores ranged from 1.4 to 3.0, with "The problem" domain scoring highest (3.0/3.0) and the "Innovation costs" domain scoring lowest (1.4/3.0). Key informants expressed strong consensus on a multifaceted challenge in delivering quality health information that justified scaling the ePCP, as well as a favorable policy environment supporting expansion. Factors needing further consideration in scale-up planning were primarily related to implementation, such as workforce capacity and infrastructure. To our knowledge, this is the first scalability assessment of an organizational health literacy initiative globally. Our findings will inform ePCP scale-up planning and may offer generalizable insights into scaling initiatives that target quality health information in healthcare settings.