SciPICH Logo

SciPICH Publications - button/link

An Evidence-Based Approach

Introduction: Evaluation of IHC

Consumers & IHC Evaluation

Developers & IHC Evaluation

Policy Issues Relevant to IHC

Health Care Providers, Purchasers & IHC

SciPICH Final Report

SciPICH home icon and link


SciPICH Publications IconAn Evidence-Based Approach to Interactive Health Communication: A Challenge to Medicine in the Information Age

Authors: Thomas N. Robinson, MD, MPH; Kevin Patrick, MD, MS; Thomas R. Eng, VMD, MPH; and David Gustafson, PhD; for the Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health

Citation:  An Evidence-Based Approach to Interactive Health Communication: A Challenge to Medicine in the Information Age. The Journal of the American Medical Association, October 14, 1998; Vol. 280:1264-1269


Full text article available

Abstract

  • Objective
    To examine the current status of interactive health communication (IHC) and propose evidence-based approaches to improve the quality of such applications.
  • Participants
    The Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health, a 14-member, nonfederal panel with expertise in clinical medicine and nursing, public health, media and instructional design, health systems engineering, decision sciences, computer and communication technologies, and health communication, convened by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Evidence
    Published studies, online resources, expert panel opinions, and opinions from outside experts in fields related to IHC.
  • Consensus Process
    The panel met 9 times during more than 2 years. Government agencies and private-sector experts provided review and feedback on the panel's work.
  • Conclusions
    Interactive health communication applications have great potential to improve health, but they may also cause harm. To date, few applications have been adequately evaluated. Physicians and other health professionals should promote and participate in an evidence-based approach to the development and diffusion of IHC applications and endorse efforts to rigorously evaluate the safety, quality, and utility of these resources. A standardized reporting template is proposed to help developers and evaluators of IHC applications conduct evaluations and disclose their results and to help clinicians, purchasers, and consumers judge the quality of IHC applications.


bluarrow.gif (211 bytes)

SciPICH Publications - home

Comments: SciPICH@nhic.org   Updated: 05/01/08