Supporting Consumer Information and Education Needs Doris Glenn V. Flores, RN

Objectives Explore various technology-based approaches to consumer health education Identify barriers of technology and issues associated with health-related consumer education Imagine future approaches to technology-supported consumer education

Consumer Demand for Information for Health Consumer Empowerment The Pew Internet and American and Life Project -Consumers are taking control of their health and are not satisfied being dependent on a healthcare provider to supply them with information -indicates that 8 in 10 of Americans who are online have searched for health information

Consumer Demand for Information for Health (con’t) Digital Divide term used to describe the gap between those who have and those who do not have access to online information.

Grey Gap term used to reflect the age disparities in computer connectivity only 32% of persons over the age of 65 have ever gone online or lived in a connected household

The US government has developed several resources for seeking health information such as:

Electronic Mail Online Support Technical Aids COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT

Personal Health Records Consumer can buy a personal health record application in any software store, loading a program onto their own computer, and storing their own record there. Example: RecordSmart (

Palo Alto Medical Foundation -provides application called Pamfonline (permits secured communication with the physician’s staff) -patients can view components of their medical record and obtain their health summary -notes can be made on the record for the patient’s personal use

ISSUES IN CONSUMER COMPUTING FOR HEALTH 1.Variability in quality of information available to consumers 2.Lack of security in Internet-based transactions 3.Uneven accessibility across age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups 4.Educational and cultural barriers 5.Physical and cognitive disabilities

Health Literacy and Health Initiatives Health Literacy - acquisition of knowledge that promotes the ability to understand and to manage one’s health Health Initiatives – the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

Health Care Organization Approaches to Education Patient Education Information is Stored Electronically HCO Sponsored Health Promotion Education Classes HCO’s Taking Advantage of Informed Patients and Families Information Must Get to All

Promoting Health Literacy in School-Aged Children EDUTAINMENT -supporting the development of nutrition education programs as interactive computer and video games and cartoons.

Predicting the future directions for technology-based health education is somewhat difficult, since we may not completely envision the technology of the future FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Thought Provoking Questions How do you envision technology enhancing patient education in your setting? Formulate a plan evidencing a potent patient education episode on MRSA. Provide a rationale for each approach and describe a tool you would use to educate the patient and his/her family.

Thank you for listening and watching! Give yourselves a tap in the back.