This chapter will discuss the development and assessment of written health education and discharge planning materials as a low-cost and effective tool to supplement the continuation of health care at discharge. In no way is one naive enough to suggest, however, that written information is a cure-all to increase adherence to a discharge plan. Nonadherence to a medical regimen and lack of utilization of community health services on release results both from macro and micro level factors: lack of funds or insurance to pay for health services, inconvenient locations of the health services, adverse effects of medication, ineffective health education, and personal or cultural beliefs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 1999b). Nevertheless, research also suggests that adherence to treatment and utilization of services is higher when written materials are incorporated in the discharge plan. This chapter will argue that the research is unequivocal on the need for easily understandable discharge plans. This chapter will also provide a template that correctional personnel can use when developing their own written materials for a correctional population.
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Mellow, J. (2007). Written Health Informational Needs for Reentry. In: Greifinger, R.B. (eds) Public Health Behind Bars. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71695-4_15
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