Evaluation of the Health Literacy Policies in Turkey in terms of the Hospitals

Objective: This study aimed to determine the opinions of stakeholders on policies developed for health literacy in hospitals in Turkey. For this purpose, how health literacy is defined by stakeholders in hospitals, social benefits, challenges in this area and suggestions are presented. Methods: In the study, stakeholder analysis and purposeful sampling method were used in the study group and this context, universities, ministry of health, media organizations and healthcare institutions have been identified as stakeholders. Accordingly, 13 people who agreed to participate in the survey have formed the research group. Semi-structured interview form was used as data collection tool. In the analysis of the data, code-relationships and code-matrix tables were created in the representation of the themes and sub-themes using a software program that allows qualitative data analysis. Results: The increase in the level of health literacy also increases social well-being. In this context, the views on the development of policies and the increase of social benefit are collected in three sub-themes as economic improvements, development of appropriate health behaviours, increase of satisfaction and productivity. Accordingly, it was found that economically avoiding unnecessary use would reduce health spending and costs. However, it has been stated that the conscious patient profile and the compliance of the patient with the treatment will increase the expected health behaviours. In addition, the majority of participants in the organizations that should be cooperated expressed the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Education. Conclusion: Health literacy is considered as an important policy issue, and emphasis has been placed on the importance of relevant experts. It is expected that attention will be on health literacy in providing efficient and effective use of the resources allocated to health and in providing quality health care. Among policy makers, they argued that it should be people who value this work and who have the vision of enhancing the positive outcomes of the development of health literacy