Health Promotion and Interactive Technology Theoretical Applications and Future Directions

Health comm, behavioral medicine, public health researchers; computer program developers, healthcare providers.

This book's purpose is to offer various perspectives relating to the development, effectiveness, and implementation of interactive computing technology for health promotion--programs and interventions aimed at improving various health-related outcomes such as involvement in care, quality of life, adherence, disease management, healthy lifestyle, and more. Its coverage includes: *conceptual foundations for examining how characteristics of media, messages, and users relate to one another and how interactive media can effectively and appropriately promote health outcomes; *examinations of the development, utilization, and evaluation of specific computer applications for health promotion featuring discussions of the theoretical rationale for the program, the targeted audience, research on the program's effectiveness, and implications for future program development; and *analyses of critical issues such as potential benefits and limitations of technology on the delivery of care, institutional obstacles to the adoption of computing technology, and prospects for integrating information technology into the health system.

Contents: Preface. Part I: Theoretical Perspectives. R.L. Street, Jr., R.N. Rimal, Health Promotion and Interactive Technology: A Conceptual Foundation. R.N. Rimal, J.A. Flora, Interactive Technology Attributes in Health Promotion: Practical and Theoretical Issues. C.S. Skinner, M.W. Kreuter, Using Theories in Planning Interactive Computer Programs. T. Manning, Interactive Environments for Promoting Heath. Part II: Using Interactive Technology to Improve Health. R.P. Hawkins, S. Pingree, D.H. Gustafson, E.W. Boberg, E. Bricker, F. McTavish, M. Wise, B Owens, Aiding Those Facing Health Crises: The Experience of the CHESS Project. D.A. Lieberman, Interactive Video Games for Health Promotion: Effects on Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Health. R.L. Street, Jr., T. Manning, Information Environments for Breast Cancer Education. H.B. Jimison, Patient Specific Interfaces to Health and Decision-Making Information. P.F. Brennan, S.V. Fink, Health Promotion, Social Support, and Computer Networks. D. Scheerhorn, Creating Illness-Related Communities in Cyberspace. Part III: The Future of Interactive Technology for the Promotion of Health. G. Kahn, Digital Interactive Media and the Health Care Balance of Power. W.R. Gold, Facilitating the Adoption of New Technology for Health Promotion in Health Care Organizations. Reflections on Health Promotion and Interactive Technology: A Discussion With David Gustafson, Jack Wennberg, and Tony Gorry.

Richard L. Street, William R. Gold, Timothy R. Manning