This project aims to develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative kiosk-based multimedia educational outreach program to increase knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among the public.

Alzheimer's disease, health education, health knowledge, kiosk, interactive computer program, community-based program

1. Conduct focus group interviews to assess the types of information about Alzheimer's Disease (AD) that would be of greatest relevance to the general public.
2. Develop an AD channel as part of an interactive program that customizes and delivers content through the use of a computer kiosk.
3. Promote the use of the AD channel, particularly by underserved populations, through community-based advisory groups and media outlets.
4. Monitor use of the AD channel to determine usage rates, satisfaction levels, and demographic characteristics of users.
5. Assess the impact of the information disseminated via the AD channel on user's knowledge, attitudes and intentions to use diagnostic and assessment and community-based services by conducting focus groups and exit interviews.

Various focus groups and individual usability testers will be used during the development cycle of the AD channel. It will then be installed on all Michigan Interactive Health Kiosks in Michigan for the public's use.

This project will focus on creating a new Alzheimer's Disease (AD) "channel" to add to the Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk program. The program provides access to a wide variety of health topics via 100 kiosks located in public places throughout the state (e.g., churches, senior centers, schools, shopping malls, grocery stores, hospitals) using interactive multimedia software. The AD channel is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of the disease among the general public.

The channel will address three key themes:

• memory loss is not part of normal aging

• awareness of the benefits of early diagnosis

• information and help are available

To address these themes, the content of the channel will be organized into 5 sections:

1. Learn about Alzheimer's Disease

2. Questions and Answers

3. Getting a Diagnosis

4. Treatment

5. Information and Help

Each section will contain a wealth of information related to the section topic. The channel will be narrated by actors, thus allowing individuals who use the kiosk the ability to listen to the information provided on the channel.

During development, focus groups will be asked to view the channel to offer comments and opinions about any aspect of the channel design. Volunteers unfamiliar with the channel will be asked to perform usability tasks on a kiosk screen (e.g., retrieve specific information about warning signs of AD). Results will be used to make any necessary adjustments to make the channel more appealing.

The channel will then be installed on all Michigan Interactive Health Kiosks in Michigan for the public's use.

While there has not been a formal evaluation of the Alzheimer's Disease channel based on the public's use in the Michigan Interactive Health Kiosks, focus group feedback greatly enhanced the development of the final channel materials. Education sections were expanded to cover additional topics, touch-screen buttons were made more obvious and user friendly, and the overall design and usability of the channel were improved.

Not applicable.

Connell CM, Shaw Ba, Derry HA, Holmes SB, Hudson ML, and Strecher VJ. Development of an Alzheimer's disease channel for the Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Project. Journal of Health Communicaiton. 2003 Vol 8:11-22.