Best of Health: evaluation of a high-street consumer health information shop in a rural area

Abstract

This study examines a consumer health information project, sponsored by the pnnHighland Health zBoard; based in Inverness, it caters for the health information needs of the widely dispersed population of the Scottish Highlands. The study investigates who is using the service and what they use it for, users’ opinions of the service and how they use the information obtained. Findings indicate that most people use the service to become better informed about a specific personal health problem. A wide range of socio-economic classes uses the facility and usage is spread across the whole Health Board region and beyond. Most users are highly satisfied with the service and the information obtained, but some areas which could be developed have been identified. Usage of Best of Health mirrors experience found in other studies: more women than men use such services, and higher socio-economic groups make greater use of such facilities than others, such as unemployed or retired people.