Jennifer M. Griffith, DrPH, MPH¹, James R. Sorenson, PhD², Tracey Grant, MS², and J. Michael Bowling, PhD³. (1) Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, 9099661369, jgriffith@unc.edu, (2) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (3) Health Behavior and Health Education, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Providers of prenatal care and patients are confronted with an ever increasing number of prenatal genetic tests. There is a need for an efficient means for educating patients about common prenatal tests. The Enhancing Patient Prenatal Education (EPPE) study uses an Interactive Computer Assisted Instruction (ICAI) program to educate women about prenatal genetic tests prior to meeting with their provider so that they may have a more informed discussion. The program has six education units: multiple marker screening (AFP testing), advanced maternal age, and carrier testing for sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, Canavan and Tay Sachs diseases. All women view the multiple marker screening unit, and may view additional units based on their prenatal risk profile. Eligibility criteria: Women must be 18 years of age or older, speak English, be 20 weeks or less gestation, have a telephone to participate in a follow-up interview and provide informed consent. At the present time we have analyzed data only for the multiple marker screening education unit. We found patient knowledge increased significantly (p=<.0001) for multiple marker screening, and importantly, anxiety did not increase (p=.4770). Most participants (89%) felt the program was easy to use, and the majority (77%) felt that the program very helpful in preparing them to discuss prenatal genetic screening with their provider. Together these data, and the study to date, suggest that the program is effective at enhancing patient knowledge of prenatal testing and women and providers support its use.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Participants will understand the need for more efficient and effective patient education for prenatal genetic screening.
• 2.Participants will be able to describe the use of an interactive computer assisted instruction (ICAI) program to enhance patient prenatal education.
• 3.Participants will be able to discuss the strengths and limits of a patient education approach that uses an ICAI program.

Keywords: Interactive, Patient Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.