Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Although there is a large and growing literature on tailored message health behavior change interventions, it is currently not known if or to what extent tailoring works, nor is it known what variables moderate the effect of tailoring on health behavior change. The current study provides a meta-analytic review of the literature on tailored print health behavior change interventions. A comprehensive search strategy yielded 61 studies that met inclusion criteria. Those studies, which contained a cumulative N = 58,139, were subsequently meta-analyzed. The sample-size weighted mean effect size of the effect of tailoring on health behavior change was found to be r = .079, and a number of variables were found to moderate that effect. Interventions targeting certain health behaviors, those which compared tailored messages to no-treatment control conditions, and those tailoring on certain theoretical concepts were found to have the largest effects. Implications for the future application of tailoring to health behavior change interventions are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper describes the process we used to develop and integrate a tailored health information system for an existing online health education and support system for women with breast cancer called the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) “Living with Breast Cancer” program. The foundational steps of formative research involved identifying general informational needs associated with key breast cancer events or experiences followed by differentiating individual characteristics that distinguish between informational needs. The next steps included creating a tailoring framework and then mapping CHESS’ existing content to these differentiating characteristics and treatment stages, and developing decision rules to trigger tailored content to users based on data they input into the system. Finally, low fidelity prototyping sessions were conducted to determine the most appropriate format for users to update variables informing CHESS tailoring, to identify the optimal degree of subtlety appropriate to deliver tailored content, and to learn how tailoring methods affect general navigation and usability. The objective of this case study is to help other eHealth developers learn from the insights we’ve gained from our extensive regimen of formative research focused on how to develop an online tailored information system for women with breast cancer.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Marketing activities in the new media environment include communication tailoring that is to provide marketing messages customized to audiences’ needs and values. This paper briefly describes this trend of tailored communication. Then, the strengths and opportunities as well as weaknesses and threats related to tailoring are examined. Finally, the practical, theoretical, social, and policy implications of tailoring are further discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Interactive features of computer-based media can enable users to obtain information that is personally relevant to them. In this study we investigate two ways users can acquire personally relevant health information, through (1) user control, where the user of a computer-based medium such as the Internet can link to information that appears to be personally relevant, and (2) perceived message tailoring, where the computer system seems to select and present relevant information on the basis of the user's previous responses. The study draws from theories of information processing and attitude change, human-computer interaction, and interpersonal communication. It finds that user control and perceived message tailoring--two features we consider to be components of the broader concept of interactivity--can increase the likelihood that users will consider web-delivered information to be desirable, high quality, and informative. Potential benefits and drawbacks of these approaches are discussed.

Publication Type: Session Paper
Abstract: Individual participation in online health-related support communities and educational websites has potential to contribute to education as well as improvements in the ability to manage different diseases and conditions.

Challenges to the adoption of online support are varied and include issues related to both providers and patients. From the provider’s perspective, there may be a hesitation to recommend online sources of support. From a patient perspective, there may be a lack of computer knowledge and skills, lack of access to a computer or the Internet, and/or perceived privacy issues.

Despite the challenges to adoption of online health-related support communities, these eCommunities and digital education initiatives have many features that set them apart from traditional face-to-face support groups that may make them attractive to people suffering from different diseases or conditions, including increased privacy and increased availability independent of geographic or time constraints.