NUR 711:Consumer Assessment: Interview Schedule and Data Collection

Interview Questions

Name:

Gender:

Please check the appropriate response to the following questions:

1)      Age group:

___ <18

___ 18-25

___ 26-35

___ 36-45

___ 46-55

___ 56-65

___ >65

2)      What is your primary language?

___English

___Spanish

___Other (Please specify) _____________

3)      What is your highest level of education?

___ Post graduate

___ College degree

___Some college or technical training

___ High school diploma

___ GED

___Other

4)      What is your employment status?

___Retired

___Employed full time

___Employed part time

___Self employed

___Unemployed

5)      How often do you use a computer to access information?

­___ Daily

___A few times per week

___A few times per Month

___Rarely

___Never used a computer

6)      Where do you access the internet?

___Home (personal computer)

___Work

___School

___Library

7)      What is your primary reason for using a computer?

___Locate health information

___Check e-mails

___Join support groups/ chat rooms

___Shopping

___ Other

8)      Do you have a health problem/condition?

___ Yes

___ No

9)      If yes, is your health problem/condition chronic?

___ Yes (specify condition/conditions) _______________________________

___ No

10)   Do you believe the internet can help you manage your condition?

___ Yes

___ No

___Maybe

11)  When was your last visit to your health care provider?

___ Within the past six months

___ > six months ago but less than a year

___A year ago

___> a year ago

___ Can’t remember

___Does not have a health care provider

12)  Who made your last health care appointment?

___Self

___Family member

___Other

13)  How many questions did you ask at your last appointment?

___ One

___ Two - three

___ Four - five

___ Six or more

___None

14)  Did you use the internet to locate health information after your visit with your health care provider?

___Yes

___No

15)  Do you use medical websites to retrieve information related to your health?

___ Yes

___ No

Demographic Results

Gender: 50% males and 50% females

Age group: 20% were 18-25, 40% were 26-35, 10 % was 36-45, 10% was 56- 65, 20% were >65

Primary language: 100% English

Highest level of education: 60% college degree, 20% some college, 20 % High school diploma.

Employment status: 10% retired, 80% worked fulltime, 10% worked part time.

Computer usage: 60% daily, 20% a few times per week, 20% rarely.

Access location: 70% from home, 30% from work.

Primary reason for computer use: 20% locate health information, 40% shop, 40% chat.

Chronic health condition: 60% yes, 40% no.

Believes the internet can help manage condition: 60% yes, 10 % no, 30% maybe

Last visit to health care provider: 20% within the last six months, 10% > six months but less than a year, 70% > a year ago.

Last appointment made by: 80% self 20 % family member.

How many questions asked: 60% asked 2-3, 10% asked 4-5, 30% asked none.

Used the internet for health information after health care provider visit: 20% yes, 80% no.

Used medical websites to access information related to your health: 60% yes, 40% no.

Key Learning

This assignment was interesting as it showed how people may have access to health information that may empower them but fail to fully utilize it. It shows how people could have access the information that could help improve their health but for whatever reasons, ignore it. Although there were several flaws to this sample, such as the size being too small, not an clear breakdown of race, not enough elderly participants etc, the results still revealed important information regarding whether or not people were accessing the internet regarding their health.

The results of this interview could suggest that there needs to be a bigger push towards educating consumers on the importance of being involved in their health care as well as utilizing available technology in managing their chronic conditions. Most people utilize the internet for personal use, socializing, networking and other leisure activities; however they do not utilize it as a beneficial health care resource. The elderly population especially, should be educated on the importance of utilizing the internet to research their illness, search for appropriate questions they need to be asking their health care provider during their visit and to research any new information given to them by the provider following the visit.

As health care providers, nurses need to not only advocate for their patients, especially the elderly, but they need to educate them on empowering and advocating for themselves as well.