Use of an Interactive Health Communication Application in a Patient Education Center

Abstract

This pilot study sought to determine whether it was feasible to offer an Interactive Health Communication (IHC) application in a Patient Education Center (the Center) or patient library setting, if patients would be satisfied with the IHC, and whether the Center exposure would result in home use. Four disease-specific modules were available on a computer in the Center, and in-home access was offered. Patients who continued the IHC use at home were mailed a survey approximately eight weeks later. Use data were collected. Staff time and response was used to determine feasibility. Sixty-one percent of the patients introduced to the IHC chose to use it; of those, 87% chose to use it at home. This report clearly shows that patients valued the intervention and the impact on staff time was minimal.

Key Words:

• Patient education
• interactive health communication applications
• patient library
• Internet
• health information
• patient satisfaction
• evaluation