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Patricia K. Gleich, EdS, Associate, National Health Ministries, Presbyterian Church USA, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202, 502.569.5793, pgleich@ctr.pcusa.org, Amy S. Tuttle, BS, Web Designer, Office of Communications, Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon, Louisville, KY 40202, and Carla F. Quinn, BA, Metro Technology Services, Application Developer, 601 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
The widespread availability of the internet is helpful in assessing and meeting the health information needs of churches and members of congregations. This paper will describe the opportunity and utility of web-based health information for congregations by presenting data on web use extrapolated from that collected through the US Congregations Survey, 2001, and America's Online Pursuits: The changing picture of who's online and what they do, Pew Internet Project Reports, 12/03 (Pew Research Center). Specific web applications that track users, and on-line mechanisms for feedback will be described, through the usage and experience of the website developed and utilized by - National Health Ministries - the denominational office of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The paper will demonstrate ways that web-based health information can be an effective and timely means to both meet the health information needs of congregations, and to provide the programmatic models and curricula congregations need to engage in health ministry. It will also illustrate how the interactive aspects of the website function in responding to particular questions on health care, access to care and related information, linking members to reliable and useful sources of more detailed health information, determining specific health information needs, and, enabling parish nurses and other congregational health ministers to connect and share resources and program models with one another.
Finally, the paper will explore the use of web trending reports to delineate the specific health interest areas of the website users, forecast topic areas for further development and to evaluate the helpfulness and popularity of the information presented by analyzing the navigational patterns.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session participants will
Keywords: World Wide Web, Faith Community
Related Web page: www.pcusa.org/health/usa
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of Presbyterian Church (USA) whose web based application will be included in the presentation as a model.