Improving Health Literacy in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder

The study will take place at University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA and will include 34 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis who are admitted to the psychiatric unit. Participants will take tests to assess their knowledge of SSD before and after receiving educational materials during their hospitalization. They will also receive questionnaires assessing their attitudes toward treatment before and after the educational interventions. After each patient is provided with educational material, they will be allowed to ask the healthcare provider questions pertaining to schizophrenia. Following discharge, patients will be followed for a total of 12 months, where they will be called to answer questions about medication adherence.

• Educational sessions (Behavioral): Patients will be given an educational pamphlet with information about schizophrenia spectrum disorders, including prognosis and management options. Following this, they will be allowed to ask the doctor any questions they have pertaining to schizophrenia spectrum disorder. In the second educational session, patients will watch a video containing information about schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Following this, they will be allowed to ask the doctor any questions they have pertaining to this topic.

Primary outcomes

• Post-intervention KAST (Knowledge About Schizophrenia Test) scores [This will be collected on Day 5 of the study, after the participant has completed both educational sessions.]: This includes an 18-item multiple choice test, with only one correct answer for each item. Scores range from 0 to 100%. Higher scores indicate a higher level of knowledge.
• Post-intervention ATT (Attitudes Toward Treatment) scores [This will be collected on Day 5 of the study, after the participant has completed both educational sessions.]: This test includes a total of 20 questions, each ranging from 0 to 10 points. Total score ranges from 0 to 200 points. Higher scores indicate a more favorable attitude towards medications.

Secondary outcomes

• MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale) scores [This questionnaire will be given on a monthly basis in the follow up period, for a total of 12 months.]: This is a 10-item questionnaire with only yes and no answer choices. Participants will be given 0 points for answers that represent poor adherence and they will be given 10 points for answers that represent good adherence. Scores will range from 0 to 100 points, with higher scores indicating more adherence.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients admitted to the University Medical Center-New Orleans (UMCNO) inpatient behavioral health unit ages 18 and older with a new or previous diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder outside of substance use disorders
* Patients must be proficient in English.
* Patients must have a government issued social security number (required for reimbursement through the university).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients at UMCNO that are ages 17 or younger
* Patients with SSD and concomitant intellectual disability, as evidenced by prior documented history on chart review or patients suspected to have intellectual disability or impairment based on clinical interactions
* Patients with concomitant substance use and documentation of psychosis being resolved after a period of washout and without the use of psychotropic medications
* Patients unable to complete health literacy assessments, attitude towards treatment assessments, and IQ testing due to severity of symptoms during hospitalization
* Patients that are not proficient in English
* Patients that do not have a government issued social security number

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• Study Protocol (PDF, 2025-07-01)
• Informed Consent Form (PDF, 2025-11-17)