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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Carey Noland, PhD, Department of Communication Studies, Northeastern University, 101 Lake Hall, Northeastern University, Boston, MA MA, 617 699 1914, c.noland@neu.edu, Julie Wright, PhD, Medical Information Systems, Boston University, 560 Harrison Ave Suite 405, Boston, MA 02118, and William G. Adams, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, 1 BMC Place, Boston, MA 02118.

The goal of this presentation is to provide information on the design process, theoretical foundations, and development and implementation of a unique communication tool. The need for innovative and cost-efficient technologies in the delivery of health promotion programs and patient data collection is pressing, particularly in low-income, urban settings. In response to this need, researchers have developed Telephone Linked Care (TLC), a communication tool that can be used to deliver a self-care intervention at home through totally automated telephone conversations. The goal of TLC is to promote healthy lifestyles by providing a behavior change intervention for healthy eating and decreased screen time through a program called Healthy Eating and Activity Today (HEAT). Participants will be called three times per week over a three month period and engaged in conversations that assess behaviors, monitor behaviors, and provide behavior counseling. A focus on health communication and behavioral theory is included, as we describe the development of culturally and technologically appropriate scripts. As a communication tool this system is distinctive in that it allows for self-management techniques that include both children and parents in the intervention. In addition, TLC-HEAT serves to facilitate parent-child-clinician communication. We will discuss the development of the technological infrastructure, as this system uses computer-controlled, interactive, conversational, telecommunications technology that allow for integration with primary caregivers via Electronic Health Records.

Learning Objectives: