Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105677

Izabella Zandberg, PhD, Nancy Speicher, and Jennifer Crafts, PhD. Education Studies, Health Communication Group, Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD, MD 20850, (301) 294-4467, IzabellaZandberg@westat.com

Timely access to quality health information is fundamental for evidence-based decision-making by policy makers, health program managers, and consumers. The Internet is an excellent tool for providing such access, and it has been used increasingly by government organizations to make accurate health information available to the public. One basis for effective web-based communication is a user-centered approach, whereby researchers examine users' information-seeking behavior, as well as the extent to which these needs are met be a particular site. The content and structure of existing health-related web sites are thus evaluated to improve these sites and ultimately meet the needs of their users.

This presentation offers a discussion of the methodological challenges and evaluation experiences of four distinct groups of health-related web site users--researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and consumers. The authors propose a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, involving in-depth interviews and card-sorting exercises, as an effective way to gain insight into users' needs and the extent to which they are met by the site. The discussion also considers whether these techniques can effectively be applied using the telephone. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to recognize the needs for evaluation of health-related web sites, identify research approaches appropriate for such evaluations, and develop a research plan for a health-related web site evaluation.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to recognize the needs for evaluation of health-related web sites, identify research approaches appropriate for such evaluations, and develop a research plan for a health-related web site evaluation.

Keywords: Health Information, World Wide Web

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.