Cultural competency evaluation of e-health initiatives

Social technologies utilization in e-health initiatives continues to expand. One of the core characteristics of emergent digital media is enhancing access and thus its ability to reduce health disparities is promising. How do social networking technologies (social media, Web2.0 and other emergent technologies) can enhance the ability of healthcare organizations, providers, and patients to ameliorate and eliminate health disparities through culturally competent e-health practices? This research is based on a larger research project that utilizes mixed methods to assess e-health and healthcare initiatives powered by social technologies. A taxonomy was developed based on a throughout review and analysis of Web2.0 offerings, the research literature, and peer research review. The development of specific cultural competence criteria to evaluate e-health offerings is highlighted in this presentation. Since social media research is still in its early stages, this inquiry proposes a set of categories and program evaluation tools that researchers and practitioners can utilize to assess the quality of e-health offerings from the perspective of patients and their families.