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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3251.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 1

Abstract #104225

Assessment of a bilingual interactive computerized educational module in a poor, medically underserved patient population

Bonnie A. Leeman-Castillo, PhD1, Kitty K. Corbett, PhD, MPH2, Eva M. Aagaard, MD3, Judith Maselli, MSPH4, Thomas D. MacKenzie, MD, MSPH5, and Ralph Gonzales, MD, MSPH4. (1) Department of Prevention, Colorado Prevention Center, 789 Sherman St., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80203, (2) Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, West Mall Centre, Room 2200.6, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V3H5H6, Canada, 604 268-7190, kcorbett@sfu.ca, (3) Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Ave., Box 0320, San Francisco, CA 94143, (4) Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118, (5) Department of General Internal Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, 777 Bannock Street, MC1914, Denver, CO 80204-4507

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effectiveness of an audiovisual, bilingual, interactive computer module for educating medically underserved patients about appropriate antibiotic use. METHODS: Adults seeking care for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) completed a computer survey, in an urgent care clinic, winter 2001. We collected data on demographics, knowledge and attitudes about ARIs, reasons for seeking care, and a symptom inventory. Patients were provided information about their illness and appropriate antibiotic use. Participants rated the module on qualities known to enhance diffusion of innovations. The main outcomes were whether the patient “learned something new about colds and flu” and “trusted the computer information.” RESULTS: 296 persons completed the survey. Spanish-language respondents (16%) were much less likely to report prior computer experience, more likely to need help, and strongly preferred answering to a person compared with English-language respondents. Differences were smaller between groups in rating the computer as easy to use and understanding computer messages. In multivariable analysis, Spanish-language respondents remained more likely to report learning something new (OR=5.0;[2.0, 12.4]) and trusting the information (OR= 2.5 [1.0, 6.0]). Prior computer experience was a strong negative predictor of learning something new (OR=0.43 [0.22, 0.84]) and trusting the information (OR=0.31 [0.16, 0.60]). CONCLUSIONS: An interactive computer module was well received among a medically underserved urgent care clinic population. Benefits appear greatest among populations having the least experience with this medium. Interactive computer technology may represent an important tool for programs aiming to reduce health disparities.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

    Keywords: Interactive Communication, Ethnic Minorities

    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.

    Health Communication in Action

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA