Using Personal Health Records to Promote Flu Prevention at Work
Author Information
Author(s): Florence T Bourgeois, William W Simons, Karen Olson, John S Brownstein, Kenneth D Mandl
Primary Institution: Children’s Hospital Boston
Hypothesis
Can a personally controlled health record (PCHR) improve knowledge, beliefs, and behavior regarding influenza prevention among employees?
Conclusion
The study found a modest impact of a PCHR-based employee health program on influenza prevention, with participants reporting improved beliefs about the vaccine's effectiveness.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants in the intervention group were more likely to believe that the influenza vaccine was effective.
- 39% of intervention participants stayed home during an illness compared to 14% in the control group.
- 78% of participants rated the PCHR as 'extremely/very' easy to use.
Takeaway
This study tested a new way to help people at work learn about preventing the flu using their own health records, and it showed some positive results.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with employees at Hewlett Packard work sites, using PCHRs to deliver tailored health messages about influenza.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the timing of corporate restructuring affecting participant recruitment.
Limitations
The small sample size and short duration of the trial limit the interpretation of the results.
Participant Demographics
Participants were employees from eight Hewlett Packard work sites, primarily aged 18 and older, with a gender distribution favoring females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.7-18.5
Statistical Significance
p = .02
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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