Director, Center for Communication in Healthcare
Institute for Healthcare Studies

Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University

Institute for Healthcare Studies
Northwestern University
750 North Lakeshore Drive
10th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611

Telephone 312-503-5592
Fax 312-503-2777

mswolf@northwestern.edu

Recent Journal Publications

(* = co-first authorship; † = senior/corresponding author)

1. Wolf, M.S. Ethics in Phase II trials of cancer therapies. Perspectives on the Professions, 2000; 20: 3-5.

2. Linsk, N.L., Mitchell, C.G., Despotes, J., Grey, D., Cook, J., Razzano, L., Wolf, M. An evaluation of an HIV mental health training intervention: Practice patterns and knowledge changes for social workers and case managers.  Health and Social Work, 2002; 27: 67-70.

3. Knight, S.J., Nathan, D.P., Siston, A.K., Kattan, M.W., Elstein, A.S., Collela, K.M., Wolf, M.S., Slimack, N.S., Bennett, C.L., Golub, R.M. Pilot study of a utilities-based treatment decision intervention for prostate cancer patients. Clinical Prostate Cancer, 2002; 1: 12-18.

4. Wolf, M.S. and Mitchell, C.G. The role of community-based social work in HIV/AIDS detection and disease prevention:  Implications for training and professional intervention. Journal of Community Health, 2002; 27: 165-180.

5. Shalowitz, D. and Wolf, M.S.† Shared decision making and the lower literate patient. Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, 2004; 32 (4): 759-764.

6. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Cross, J.T., Marin, E., Green, K.M., Bennett, C.L.  Health literacy and patient knowledge in a southern U.S. HIV clinic.  International Journal of STD and AIDS, 2004; 15 (11): 747-752.

7. Dolan, N.C., Ferreira, M.R., Davis, T.C., Fitzgibbon, M.L., Rademaker, A., Liu, D., Gorby, N., Wolf, M.S., Bennett, C.L.  Colorectal cancer screening knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among persons of lower socioeconomic status: Does literacy make a difference? Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2004; 22(12): 2617-22.

8. Arozullah, A.M., Calhoun, E.A., Wolf, M.S., Finley, D., Fitzner, K.A., Heckinger, E.A., Gorby, N.S., Schumock, G.T., Bennett, C.L. The financial burden of cancer: Estimates from a study of insured women with breast cancer. Journal of Supportive Oncology, 2004; 2(3): 1-8.

9. Wolf, M.S., Linsk, N.L., Mitchell, C.G., Schechtman, B.  HIV prevention in practice: An assessment of the public health response of physicians and nurses in the Midwest. Journal of Community Health, 2004; 29:1; 63-73.

10. Wolf, M.S., Fitzner, K.A., Powell, E.F., Pickard, A.S., Schumock, G.T., McKoy, J.M., Carson, K.R, Ferreira, M.R., Dolan, N.C., McCaffrey, K.R., Bennett, C.L.. Costs and cost effectiveness of a health care provider-directed intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening among veterans. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005; 23 (34): 8877-83.

11. Wolf, M.S., Gazmararian, J.A., Baker, D.W. Health literacy and functional health status among older adults. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2005; 165: 1946-52.

12. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Marin, E., Arnold, C., Bennett, C.L. A qualitative study of literacy and patient response to HIV medication adherence questionnaires. Journal of Health Communication, 2005; 10: 1-9.

13. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Arozullah, A., Penn, R., Arnold, C., Bennett, C.L. Relationship between literacy and HIV treatment knowledge among individuals enrolled in HAART regimens.  AIDS Care, 2005; 17(7): 863-873.

14. Dolan, N.C., Ferreira, M.R., Davis, T.C., Fitzgibbon, M.L., Rademaker, A., Liu, D., Gorby, N., Wolf, M.S., Schmitt, B., Bennett, C.L.  Colorectal cancer screening among white and black males in a VA general medical practice: A brief report. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2005; 28(5):479-482.

15. Kramer, K.M., Bennett, C.L., Pickard, A.S., Lyons, E.A., Wolf, M.S., McKoy, J.M., Knight, S.J. Patient preferences in prostate cancer: A clinician’s guide to understanding health utilities. Clinical Prostate Cancer, 2005; 4(1): 15-23.

16. Wolf, M.S., Chang, C.H., Davis, T.C., Makoul, G.T. Development and validation of the Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy (CASE) scale: Cancer version. Patient Education and Counseling 2005; 57 (3): 333-341.

17. Wolf, M.S., Rademaker, A, Bennett, C.L., Davis, T.C., Ferreira, M.R., Dolan, N.C., Liu, D., Medio, F., Lee, J., Fitzgibbon, M.L. Colon cancer screening knowledge and attitudes among veterans: Development of a brief survey. Preventing Chronic Disease, 2005; 2(2): 10-20.

18. Wolf, M.S., Gazmararian, J.A., Baker, D.W. Health literacy and health risk behaviors among older adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2006; 32: 19-24.

19. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Skripkauskas, S., Bennett, C.L., Makoul, G. Literacy, self-efficacy, and HIV medication adherence. Patient Education and Counseling, 2006; 65: 253-260.

20. Wolf M.S.*, Davis, T.C.*, Bass, P.F., Tilson, H., Neuberger, M., Parker, R.M. Literacy and misunderstanding of prescription drug labels. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2006; 145: 887-94.

21. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Shrank, W., Neuberger, M., Parker, R.M. A critical review of FDA-approved medication guides. Patient Education and Counseling, 2006; 62: 316-22.

22. Davis, T.C., Wolf, M.S., Arnold, C.L., Byrd, R., Long, S.W., Springer, T., Kennen, E., Bocchini, J.A. Development and validation of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) – Teen. Pediatrics, 2006; 118: 1707-1714.

23. Davis, T.C., Wolf, M.S., Bass, P.F., Middlebrooks, M., Kennan, E., Baker, D.W., Bennett, C.L., Durazo-Arvizu, R., Savory, S., Parker, R.M. Low literacy impairs comprehension of prescription drug warning labels. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2006; 21: 847-851.

24. Wolf, M.S., Knight, S.J., Durazo-Arvizu, R., Pickard, S., Lyons, E.A., Arseven, A., Arozullah, A., McGartland, L., Bennett, C.L. Associations of race, literacy, and income with PSA level among men with newly-diagnosed prostate cancer. Urology, 2006; 68: 89-93.

25. Wolf, M.S.., Davis, T.C., Parker, R.M., Bass, P.F., McGinnis, T., Tilson, H. Misunderstanding of prescription drug warning labels among patients with low literacy. American Journal of Health System Pharmacy, 2006; 63: 1048-55.

26. Rintamaki, L., Davis, T.C., Bennett, C.L., Wolf, M.S.† Social stigma and HIV medication adherence. AIDS Patient Care & STDs, 2006; 20: 359-68.

27. Wolf, M.S., Satterlee, M., Calhoun, E.A., Fulwiler, D., Alvarez, H., Makundan, D. Colorectal cancer screening among the medically underserved. Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved, 2006; 17: 47-55.

28. Wolf, M.S., Bennett, C.L. Local perspective of the impact of the HIPAA privacy rule on research. Cancer, 2006; 106: 474-9.

29. Wolf, M.S. and Paasche-Orlow, M.K. Health literacy: Review and future directions. Patient Education and Counseling, 2007; in press.

30. Paasche-Orlow, M.K. and Wolf, M.S. Evidence does not support clinical screening of literacy. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2007; 23: 100-2.

31. Gordon, E.J. and Wolf, M.S. Beyond the basics: Designing a comprehensive response to low health literacy. American Journal of Bioethics, 2007; 7: 11-13.

32. Osborn, C.Y., Paasche-Orlow, M.K., Davis, T.C., Wolf, M.S.† Health literacy: An overlooked factor in understanding HIV health disparities. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2007; 33: 374-8.

33. Persell, S., Osborn, C.Y., Richard, R., Skripkauskas, Wolf, M.S.† Limited health literacy is a barrier to medication reconciliation in ambulatory care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2007; 22: 1523-6.

34. Khankari, K., Eder, M., Osborn, C.Y., Diamond-Shapiro, L., Alvarez, H., Makoul, G., Clayman, M., Wolf, M.S.† Improving colorectal cancer screening among the medically underserved: A pilot study at one federally qualified health center. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2007; 22: 1410-4.

35. Wolf, M.S., Williams, M.V., Parker, R.M., Parikh, N.S., Nowlan, A.W., Baker, D.W. Patient’s shame and attitudes toward discussing the results of literacy screening. Journal of Health Communication, 2007; 12: 721-32.

36. Wolf, M.S., Baker, D.W., Makoul, G.T. Physician-patient communication about colorectal cancer screening. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2007: 22: 1493-9.

37. Shrank, W.H., Agnew-Blais, J., Choudhry, N., Wolf, M.S., Kesselheim, A., Avorn, J., Shekelle, P. The variability and poor quality of medication container labels: A prescription for confusion. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007; 167: 1760-5.

38. Cameron, K.A., Francis, L., Wolf, M.S., Baker, D.W., Makoul, G.T. Gauging Hispanic/Latino perceptions about colorectal cancer screening: A community-based approach to effective message design. Patient Education and Counseling, 2007; 68: 145-52.

39. Cho, R.N., Plunkett B.A., Wolf, M.S., Simon, C.E., Grobman, W.A. Health literacy and patient understanding of screening tests for aneuploidy and neural tube defects. Prenatal Diagnosis, 2007; 27: 463-7.

40. Arozullah, A.M, Yarnold, P., Bennett, C., Soltysik, R., Wolf, M.S., Ferreira, M.R., Lee, S.Y., Costello, S., Shakir, A., Denwood, C., Bryant, F.B., Davis, T.C.  Development and validation of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) – Short form. Medical Care, 2007; 45: 1026-33.

41. Wolf, M.S., Davis, T.C., Shrank, W., Rapp, D., Connor, U., Clayman, M., Parker, R.M. To err is human: Patient misinterpretations of prescription drug dosage instructions. Patient Education and Counseling, 2007; 67: 293-300.

42. Baker, D.W., Wolf, M.S., Feinglass, J., Gazmararian, J.A., Thompson, J.A., Huang, J. Health literacy and mortality among elderly persons. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007; 167: 1503-1509.

43. Osborn C.Y., Weiss B.D., Davis T.C., Skripkauskas, S., Rodrique, C., Bass P.F., Wolf, M.S.† Measuring adult literacy in health care: Performance of the newest vital sign. American Journal of Health Behavior, 2007; 31: S36-S46.

44. Paasche-Orlow, M.K. and Wolf, M.S.* The causal pathways linking health literacy with health outcomes. American Journal of Health Behavior, 2007; 31: S19-S26.

45. Schwartzberg, J. Cowett, A., VanGeest, J., Wolf, M.S.† Responding to low literacy in healthcare: Communication strategies used by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.  American Journal of Health Behavior, 2007; 31: S96-S104.

46. Fitzgibbon, M.L., Ferreira, M.R., Dolan, N.C., Rademaker, A., Davis, T.C., Wolf, M.S., Liu, D., Gorby, N., Schmitt, B., Bennett, C.L. A process evaluation of an intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in a VA medical center. Health Promotion Practice, 2007; 8: 273-281.

47. Hanchate, A., Ash, A.S., Gazmararian, J.A., Wolf, M.S., Paasche-Orlow, M.K. Demographic assessment of health literacy. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; 23:1561-6.

48. Webb, J., Davis, T.C., Bernadella, P., Clayman, M., Parker, R.M., Adler, D.A. and Wolf, M.S. † Patient-centered approach for improving prescription drug warning labels. Patient Education and Counseling, 2008; 72; 443-9.
 
49. Waite, K., Davis, T.C., Paasche-Orlow, M.K., Rintamaki, L., and Wolf, M.S.† Literacy, social stigma, and HIV medication adherence. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; 23: 1367-72.
  
50. Parker, R.M., Wolf, M.S.†, Kirsch, I. Preparing for an epidemic of limited health literacy: Weathering the perfect storm.  Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; 23: 1273-6.

51. Davis, T.C., Wolf, M.S., Bass, P.F., Bocchini, M., Arnold, C., Kennan, E., Osborn, C.Y., Blondin, S. Provider and patient intervention to improve weight loss: A pilot study in a public hospital clinic. Patient Education and Counseling, 2008; 72:56-62.

52. Baker, D.W., Wolf, M.S., Feinglass, J., Thompson, J.A. Health literacy, cognitive abilities, and mortality among elderly persons. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; 23: 723-6.

53. Magasi, S., Durkin, E.M., Wolf, M.S., Deutsch, A. rehabilitation consumers’ use and understanding of quality information: A health literacy perspective. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2008; in press.

54. Davis, T.C., Federman A., Bass, P.F., Jackson, R.F., Parker, R.M., and Wolf, M.S.† Improving patient understanding of prescription container label instructions. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; in press.

55. Osborn, C.Y., Davis, T.C., Bailey, S.C., Wolf, M.S.† Development of the Brief Estimate of Health Knowledge and Action (BEHKA): HIV version. AIDS and Behavior, 2008; in press.

56. Wang, T.C., Kyriaciou D.N., Wolf, M.S. † Effects of an intervention brochure on emergency department patients' safe alcohol use and knowledge. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2008; in press.

57. Magasi S., Durkin, E., Wolf, M.S., Deutsch, A. Rehabilitations consumers’ use and understanding of quality information: a health literacy perspective. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2009; 90: 206-212.

58. Wilson, E.A.H. and Wolf, M.S.† Working memory capacity and the design of patient education materials. Patient Education and Counseling, 2009; 74: 318-322.

59. Wolf, M.S.¸Shrank, W.H., Choudry, N., Kesselheim, A., Parker, R.M., Shekelle, P. Variability of pharmacy interpretations of physician prescriptions. Medical Care, 2009; 47: 370-3.

60. Von Wagner, C., Steptoe, A., Wolf, M.S., Wardle, J. Health literacy and health action: A review and perspective from health psychology. Health Education & Behavior, 2009; in press.

61. Davis, T.C., Federman, A.D., Bass, P.F., Jackson, R.H., Middlebrooks, M., Parker, R.M., Wolf, M.S.† Improving patient understanding of prescription drug instructions. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2009; 24: 57-62.

62. Makoul, G., Cameron, K.A., Baker, D.W., Francis, L., Scholtens, D., Wolf, M.S. A multimedia patient education program on colorectal cancer screening increases knowledge and willingness to consider screening among Hispanic/Latino patients. Patient Education and Counseling 2009; in press.

63. Shrank, W.H., Patrick, A.M, Gleason, P., Canning, C., Walters, C., Heaton A.H., Jan, S., Brookhart, M.A., Schneeweiss, S., Solomon, D.H., Wolf, M.S., Avorn, J., Choudhry, N.K. An evaluation of the relationship between the implementation of a newly-designed prescription drug label at Target Pharmacies and health outcomes. Medical Care 2009; in press.

64. Federman, A.D., Sano, M., Safran, D.G., Siu, A.L., Wolf, M.S., Halm, E.A. Health literacy and cognitive performance among older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2009; in press.

65. McCaffery, K. and Wolf, M.S. Health literacy and informed medical decision making. Medical Decision Making, 2009; in press.

66. Bailey S.C., Pandit A., Curtis L.A., Wolf, M.S. † Availability of Spanish prescription container drug labels: A national survey. Medical Care, 2009; in press.

67. Clement, S., Ibrahim, S., Wolf, M.S., Rowlands G. Health literacy and complex interventions: A systematic literature review. Patient Education and Counseling, 2009; in press.

68. Bailey, S.C., Parker, R.M., Shrank, W.H., Wolf, M.S.† Medication label improvement: An issue at the intersection of health literacy and patient safety. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2009; in press.

69. Bailey, SC; Jacobson, KL; Parker, RM; Ratzan, S., Wolf, MS.† Health literacy: A brief introduction International Nursing Review, 2009; in press.

70. Pandit, A., Bailey, S.C., Bocchini, M., Davis, T.C., Federman, A.D., Wolf, M.S.†  Education, literacy, and hypertension management. Patient Education and Counseling, 2009; in press.

71. Wolf, M.S.†, Rapp, D.N., Wilson, E.A.H. Literacy and Learning in Healthcare. Pediatrics, 2009; in press.

72. Bailey, S.C., Persell, S., Jacobson, K.A., Parker, R.M., Wolf, M.S.† Comparison of hand-written and electronically-generated prescription drug instructions. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2008; in press.

73. Sobel, R., Waite, K., Paasche-Orlow, M.K., Federman, A.D., Rittner, S., Wilson, E.A.H., Wolf, M.S.† Asthma 1-2-3: A low-literacy multimedia tool to educate African American adults about asthma. Journal of Community Health, 2009; in press.