| Sumario: | SYNOPSIS: The consumer market for health information is growing at an unprecedented rate. The author proposes computer-based technology to address this market. Using computer technology can serve to decrease healthcare cost and increase quality. Computer programs using decision trees can decrease costs both by teaching clients which conditions they can identify and treat themselves and by helping them identify early on potentially serious problems. These programs also improve health status by increasing clients' confidence in their ability to manage their own health. The programs are offered in a variety of forms and can be used in the workplace, school, home, or healthcare center. The advantages of this approach over traditional teaching methods are greater enjoyment of reaming due to the variety of presentation formats and a more individualized approach, as the same program can use branching to tailor different versions for people according to their actual knowledge. It also offers greater privacy because the client can learn without the presence of another person. This is important for clients such as teenagers with sensitive problems and those participating in high-risk health behaviors. Computer-based healthcare information will not, however, meet all learning needs. Challenges include the expense of the technology, the many people who are not yet computer literate, and the borderline health problems that require the advice of an expert clinician.
|
|---|