10.L. Round table: Health literacy in health professionals – conceptualising and piloting a new measuring instrument

Abstract Background Studies have shown that the population's health literacy is low in many countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In order to improve the health literacy of patients and the population, health professionals have an essential role to play. However, as most studies have been conducted either outside of Europe or among health professionals in training, there is a lack of a clear definition, clear-cut concept, and reliable data on the professional health literacy of the healthcare workforce in Europe so far. Approach of the Pilot Study The present study is a pilot study that aims to remedy this shortcoming. The underlying notion of health literacy is based on the definition by the HLS-EU Consortium and the HLS19-study. Following these definitions, a joint concept of professional health literacy was developed. It is comprised of the following complexes: a) communication with patients and users, b) dissemination of health related information with patients in a comprehensible manner, and c) dealing with relevant professional knowledge by health professionals. Based on this conceptual reflections, a quantitative survey was developed and conducted among health professionals in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This process revealed some challenges and limitations of a standardised questionnaire, as national discourses vary and different professions require distinctive vocabulary and frameworks of reference. Moreover, differences in professional qualifications and training challenge the comparability of both sample and results. Objectives of the Workshop The objective of this workshop is threefold. a. The first is to present the working group's concept, its experience with, and reflections on this first of its kind study in Europe - all before the backdrop of previous endeavours to examine professional health literacy. This is the more important as interest in professional and organisational health literacy is growing. b. The second objective includes the presentation of the survey instrument, its development, and preliminary results (the analysis of the study's data will not be completed by the time of the workshop). c. The third objective is to provide a platform for discussion about the study as well as the challenges and potential limitations of a wider international comparison across a larger variety of health professions. Added Value of the Workshop The workshop will provide an overview of the general context, the approaches in the field of professional health literacy, and the concept. This combination offers a unique opportunity to discuss the study, its questionnaire, and preliminary results, while considering aspects and issues in this field of research in general. This discussion is essential, as it supports identifying opportunities and limitations in order to develop solutions in this field of research - and contribute to the possible progress in the development of the role of health professionals. Key messages • Professional health literacy is essential to improve patients’ health literacy. • This workshop discusses potentials, challenges, and potential limitations examining this field. Speakers/Panellists Robert Griebler Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria Lennert Griese Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany Alexander Haarmann Hertie School, Berlin, Germany Rebecca Jaks Careum, Zurich, Switzerland

physical burden compared to other professional groups (1). There is an evidence gap exploring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on senior leaders in schools who have experienced high demands as a result of COVID-19. This is important because in the UK, teacher retention is policy priority.

Methods:
The COVID-19 HL: School Leadership Survey aimed to explore the burden and stress that school leaders in Wales, UK experienced during COVID-19, part of a global study with the COVID-HL network (3). 172 school leaders (62% female) from 130 primary (age 3-11) and 30 secondary schools (age 11-16) completed an online survey between July-Nov 2021, exploring topics such as work-related stress and mental health. A unique aspect is the use of data linkage using the SAIL (Secure Anonymised Information Linkage) Databank. SAIL is data repository containing individual-level, anonymised population-scale data for Wales.

Results:
Initial descriptive findings show 54% of senior leaders have depression (WHO-5), and lower wellbeing scores compared to other UK professions. 83% report moderate-high perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and physical (38%) and mental (57%) work exhaustion. The next stage of this study is to perform data linkage of survey responses to health records and administrative data. Logistic regression analyses will examine wellbeing and work-related stress with outcomes including mental health (e.g. anxiety/depression) diagnosis and time off work.

Conclusions:
Preliminary results show high levels of stress, exhaustion and low wellbeing amongst school leaders in Wales. The next part of this study will examine this in greater detail using data linkage of routine records. Data linkage allows this sample to be extrapolated to population level to theorise work-related stress for all school leaders in Wales.

Background:
Studies have shown that the population's health literacy is low in many countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In order to improve the health literacy of patients and the population, health professionals have an essential role to play. However, as most studies have been conducted either outside of Europe or among health professionals in training, there is a lack of a clear definition, clear-cut concept, and reliable data on the professional health literacy of the healthcare workforce in Europe so far.

Approach of the Pilot Study:
The present study is a pilot study that aims to remedy this shortcoming. The underlying notion of health literacy is based on the definition by the HLS-EU Consortium and the HLS19study. Following these definitions, a joint concept of professional health literacy was developed. It is comprised of the following complexes: a) communication with patients and users, b) dissemination of health related information with patients in a comprehensible manner, and c) dealing with relevant professional knowledge by health professionals. Based on this conceptual reflections, a quantitative survey was developed and conducted among health professionals in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This process revealed some challenges and limitations of a standardised questionnaire, as national discourses vary and different professions require distinctive vocabulary and frameworks of reference. Moreover, differences in professional qualifications and training challenge the comparability of both sample and results.

Objectives of the Workshop:
The objective of this workshop is threefold. a. The first is to present the working group's concept, its experience with, and reflections on this first of its kind study in Europe -all before the backdrop of previous endeavours to examine professional health literacy. This is the more important as interest in professional and organisational health literacy is growing. b. The second objective includes the presentation of the survey instrument, its development, and preliminary results (the analysis of the study's data will not be completed by the time of the workshop). c. The third objective is to provide a platform for discussion about the study as well as the challenges and potential limitations of a wider international comparison across a larger variety of health professions. Added Value of the Workshop: The workshop will provide an overview of the general context, the approaches in the field of professional health literacy, and the concept. This combination offers a unique opportunity to discuss the study, its questionnaire, and preliminary results, while considering aspects and issues in this field of research in general. This discussion is essential, as it supports identifying opportunities and limitations in order to develop solutions in this field of research -and contribute to the possible progress in the development of the role of health professionals.

Key messages:
Professional health literacy is essential to improve patients' health literacy. This workshop discusses potentials, challenges, and potential limitations examining this field.