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

Abstract

This research aimed to develop an education program for public librarians and library users and to measure the effectiveness of this program to promote Consumer Health Information (CHI) service programs in libraries. This study provided CHI education for librarians and users and then examined how the education program affected their perception of CHI. After developing the education program, the author analyzed the change in perception, knowledge, and satisfaction of CHI in users and librarians before and after the program was administered. The author observed improvement in familiarity with CHI terminologies, knowledge of health-related websites and information sources, and ability to find health-related information on the Internet in both librarian and users groups. The research also revealed librarians’ difficulty in providing CHI reference service and a possible solution: including education on CHI in the regular curriculum for public librarians. This study also provides content expectations for CHI education.