The impact of validated, online health education resources on patient and community members’ satisfaction and health behaviour

Abstract

Objective: While access to health education information has become easier, the quality of information retrieved from the Internet varies considerably. In response to the need for accessible, quality health information that is tailored to meet individual patient needs, a patient education website, called PEPTalk, was developed. The site houses text and video material that has been validated by practicing clinicians. A study was conducted to examine patient and community members’ satisfaction with PEPTalk and the impact of the health education materials on their health behaviour. Community staff and health providers’ experiences with the new technology were also examined. Design and method: A descriptive study using surveys and interviews was conducted with 57 patients, community participants and clinicians living in a large Canadian city and First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. Results: Participants’ PEPTalk Satisfaction scores ranged from moderately to highly satisfied. Participants found the information presented on PEPTalk useful and relevant, had improved their knowledge of health, and in most cases, altered health behaviour. Clinicians and community staff who referred participants to the PEPTalk website reported that the site provided reliable, evidence-based information that they were comfortable sharing with their patients and community members. Conclusion: There is an emerging role for tools that provide tailored health education. The health provider’s role regarding interpretation, discussion and follow-up remains essential, and tools such as PEPTalk need to be part of an overall health education strategy.