ENHANCING PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND HEALTH LITERACY: EFFECTIVENESS OF TAKE-HOME BAGS FOR THE CHILDREN'S POST INFECTIOUS AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOPATHY CLINIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Health Literacy and the ability for a patient to understand and apply health information is a prevalent challenge particularly as medical diagnoses become more complex. This is especially relevant in pediatric patients where children may struggle to comprehend their diagnoses, treatments, and medical experiences. The Enhancing Patient Experience and Health Literacy at the Children's Post-Infectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy (CPAE) Clinic project aims to bridge this gap by providing engaging, age-appropriate resources to patients and their families. The initiative includes take-home bags containing an interactive, educational booklet and sensory-friendly toys designed to explain PANS and PANDAS in a clear and accessible manner. These tools not only help entertain and calm patients during appointments, but also promote more effective communication between caregivers and healthcare providers. Survey results indicated high patient engagement, ongoing use of materials after appointments, and caregivers reported improvements in provider communication and at-home discussions about the condition. This project demonstrates the potential of tailored educational tools to enhance pediatric health literacy and clinical experiences.