Several Assessment and Reflection tools have been developed for the assessement of Health Literacy competencies.

The guiding principles of Health Literacy (HL) in physiotherapy higher education include the evaluation of HL competencies of physiotherapy students. This enables to respond to students’ needs individually and to adapt the course contents to the HL level of the students.  

Therefore, an assessment for students’ HL skills was developed in a qualitative research approach, combining questionnaires on HL consultation skills and communication models. The questionnaire consists of 2 general questions and 48 items and can be used before and after performing the HL courses. The questionnaire covers the following aspects: 

(A) Knowledge about HL 

(B) Adjustment of communication and educational skills to clients with limited HL 

(C) Awareness of own attitude towards using HL communication skills and/or teaching strategies 

(D) Confidence in using HL communication and educational skills 

• Link to the questioinnaire

In the course of intensive discussions with students, experts and colleagues, the need for a "checklist" for practical application was raised. Therefore, the questionnaire for students was adapted to reflect on your own competencies. It combines a questionnaire and a video-observation tool. You can use the questions for self-assessment, peer-assessment, or teacher/ supervisor assessment, as well in learning activities at university and clinical settings. 

• Link to the reflection tool

PEVA is a participatory and empowering videoanalysis model for strengthening students’ reflective skills. PEVA consist of different steps which enable students to discuss and evaluate their own work with peer student and with teachers.  

• PEVA manual

• Reflection tool

Health professionals have the key responsibility in promoting clients’ HL to help them navigate through the health care system.  

The Conversational Health Literacy Assessment tool (CHAT) is used to identify clients needs and preferences. CHAT was developed for a structured conversation with clients. It targets five HL domains using ten open-ended questions (e.g., Who do you usually go to for health care?). CHAT is a feasible and efficient tool for assessing health literacy needs among individuals with different socio-demographic characteristics and with different diagnoses and can easily be adapted in the physiotherapeutic process. 

• Link to CHAT