On the Validity of the Shortened Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) Scale as a Measure of Health Literacy

Levent Dumenci; Robin K. Matsuyama; Laura Kuhn; Robert A. Perera; Laura A. Siminoff

doi:10.1080/19312458.2013.789839

On the Validity of the Shortened Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) Scale as a Measure of Health Literacy

Levent Dumenci, Robin K. Matsuyama, Laura Kuhn, Robert A. Perera, Laura A. Siminoff

Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Originally developed to measure the literacy level of patients, the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) scale is one of the most widely used instruments to measure the construct of health literacy. This article critically examines the validity of the REALM as a measure of health literacy. Logical analysis of content coverage led to the conclusion that scores on the REALM should not be used to make inferences about a person's level of health literacy. Rather, the REALM should be used to make inferences about the ability of a person to read and pronounce health related terms. Evidence from an analysis of a sample of 1,037 respondents to the REALM with a cancer diagnosis supports the quality of the REALM as a measure of reading and pronunciation ability. Other uses of the REALM in health literacy research are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	134-143
Number of pages	10
Journal	Communication Methods and Measures
Volume	7
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2013.789839
State	Published - 2013

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On the Validity of the Shortened Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) Scale as a Measure of Health Literacy

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