Awareness for Credible Online Health Information and Healthcare Utilization for Adult Managed Care Enrollees

The volume of information available online makes it difficult to navigate and validate. The overall goal of the project is to improve awareness for credible online health information by providing an interactive MedlinePlus session in rural community settings. GHP aims to accomplish the goal through partnership with Fayette County public libraries and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Medical Library (RML) at the University of Pittsburgh. Together, we intend to develop and conduct an interactive MedlinePlus training program in Fayette County for adults * 22 years with at least one health condition. As a strategy for long term sustainability of the program, it is expected that once trained by the RML, Gateway staff will be able to train its members in community not only with regards to current project but also beyond it in other communities. Expected results include an improvement in individuals' awareness of the MedlinePlus website for locating credible health information. In addition, it is hope that there will be a reduction in total emergency department (ED) visits, avoidable ED visits, and inpatient admission in a 120 month period for participants. Overall, project outcomes include improvement in individuals' awareness for credible health information, evidence of impact on individuals' health care utilization, and development of a successful community model for health care organizations to scale up the program.