만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자의 건강문해력과 흉부전산화단층촬영 결과 이해정도와의 관계

Relationship between Health Literacy and Understanding of Chest Computed Tomography Findings in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between linguistic and functional health literacy (HL) levels and the under- standing of chest computed tomography (CT) scan findings in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This descriptive survey included 140 patients with COPD who regularly underwent chest CT scans and received explanations about the corresponding findings from pulmonologists at C University Hospital in Gwangju. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring general linguistic HL (Korean Health Literacy Assessment Tool, KHLAT), COPD-specific linguistic HL (COPD-related HL tool), and functional HL (Short Korean Health Literacy Scale, S-KHLS). Understanding of the chest CT findings was assessed using a tool developed by researchers based on explanations provided during outpatient consultations. Results: There were significant positive correlations between COPD-specific linguistic HL and understanding of chest CT findings (r=.37, p＜.001), and between functional HL and understanding of chest CT findings (r=.30, p＜.001). There was no significant correlation between general linguistic HL and understanding of chest CT findings (r=.10, p＜.232). Conclusion: HL was positively associated with understanding of chest CT findings. Health providers should provide COPD-related health information in an easily understandable manner tailored to patients’ HL levels.