Study goals
To develop and validate a method — the Health Literacy Canvas — to support organizations in creating initiatives that promote health literacy, strengthening communication, empowerment, and patients’ active participation in their own care.
Relevance / originality
The method proposes an innovative and structured approach, integrating theory, practice, and technology to transform relationships among healthcare organizations, professionals, and patients, overcoming the traditional biomedical model and fostering collaborative, inclusive, and patient-centered practices.
Methodology / approach
Research conducted through Design Science Research, including literature review, interviews, Canvas design, testing with professionals, and quantitative and qualitative evaluation, incorporating application mediated by a virtual agent to enhance applicability and usability.
Main results
The method was assessed as clear, relevant, effective, and flexible, supporting adaptation to different health contexts, structuring actions, and encouraging critical reflection, despite observations regarding the need for complementary materials and ongoing updates.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
It advances the field of health literacy by proposing a visual and structured method, based on Design Science Research, that combines management tools and communication theories. It expands understanding of participatory planning and operationalizes concepts into a replicable artifact.
Social / management contributions
It provides healthcare organizations with a practical resource for planning health literacy actions, strengthening patient autonomy, optimizing communication flows, and promoting informed decision-making. It fosters cultural and institutional changes toward person-centered care.