A mixed methods approach to explore the benefits of a ‘Health information at your fingertips’ programme for older adults

Objectives – to understand the health information seeking trends in Ireland and evaluate a computer based programme entitled ‘Health Information at your Fingertips’. Intervention – ‘Health Information at your Fingertips’ was a twelve week programme which provided skills on how to identify good quality online health information and aimed to increase confidence and engagement with reputable sources to support healthy behaviours. The setting was in several locations in Limerick City and County, Ireland. Design of the Evaluation – the pilot intervention was evaluated using a mixed-methods approach which included participant and facilitator diaries, a focus group, quantitative survey instruments and an economic evaluation. Participants – Adults over 55 years of age, with some experience using the Internet and computers. Initial sample (n=200). 172 participants began the programmes; control (n=78) and experiment (n=94). Attendance rate was high with the majority of individuals (66%) in both the experiment and control group completing the twelve weeks. Results – programme was delivered as expected and participant diaries indicated that the programme was successful in improving their health information searching skills. Quantitative data indicated some minor improvements in health and engagement levels were found to increase significantly during the programme. Conclusion- Over the last number of years there has been a significant increase in online health information seeking by older people, however the levels in Ireland fall below the EU average. A programme focused on improving older adults online health information skills could help to increase engagement with online material in line with EU averages and benefit self-care health behaviours.