The Development and Performance Measurements of Consumer Health Information(CHI) Educational Programs to Improve Health Literacy among Public Library Users

Abstract

Despite the growth in public concern about health information, the ratio of users who can search for accurate and reliable health information sources has been found to be quite low. Public libraries, as the best contact point to general users, must provide training programs for improving health literacy so that users will have the ability to search and analyze health information, judge the accuracy and reliability of resources, and make informed health-related decisions. This study developed a health information literacy education program suitable for Korean public library users. The effectiveness of the training was measured after administering the program, and necessary improvements were identified. As a result, this study found the education program had the following effects: improved public library users' familiarity with CHI-related terms, improved users' ability to find CHI-related information resources on the Internet, and significantly improved knowledge about health-related websites and information sources. In addition, users expressed interest in seminars on a variety of health information sources in the public library and asked that CHI-related education be included in the library's regular programming. However, this research represented the first time CHI-related education for public library users was performed in Korea, and therefore many limitations were present in the education instructor, the diversity of subjects, and the methodology. Development of more advanced CHI-related education programs for users is still required.