Customization options in consumer health information materials on type-2 diabetes mellitus-an analysis of modifiable features in different types of media

Cornelia Krenn; Thomas Semlitsch; Carolin Zipp; Stefan Lengauer; Lin Shao; Tobias Schreck; Michael Bedek; Cordula Kupfer; Dietrich Albert; Bettina Kubicek; Andrea Siebenhofer; Klaus Jeitler

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1252244

Customization options in consumer health information materials on type-2 diabetes mellitus-an analysis of modifiable features in different types of media

Front Public Health. 2024 Feb 21:12:1252244. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1252244. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Cornelia Krenn¹, Thomas Semlitsch¹, Carolin Zipp¹, Stefan Lengauer², Lin Shao^{2

3}, Tobias Schreck², Michael Bedek⁴, Cordula Kupfer⁴, Dietrich Albert⁴, Bettina Kubicek⁴, Andrea Siebenhofer^{1

5}, Klaus Jeitler^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
² Institute of Computer Graphics and Knowledge Visualization, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
³ Fraunhofer Austria Center for Data Driven Design, Graz, Austria.
⁴ Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
⁵ Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
⁶ Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Abstract

Introduction: The understanding of health-related information is essential for making informed decisions. However, providing health information in an understandable format for everyone is challenging due to differences in consumers' health status, disease knowledge, skills, and preferences. Tailoring health information to individual needs can improve comprehension and increase health literacy.

Objective: The aim of our research was to analyze the extent to which consumers can customize consumer health information materials (CHIMs) for type-2 diabetes mellitus through various media types.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search for various CHIMs across various media types, such as websites, apps, videos, and printed or printable forms. A representative sample of CHIMs was obtained for analysis through blocked randomization across the various media types. We conducted a quantitative content analysis to determine the frequency of user-centered customization options. Cross-comparisons were made to identify trends and variations in modifiable features among the media.

Results: In our representative sample of 114 CHIMs, we identified a total of 24 modifiable features, which we grouped into five main categories: (i) language, (ii) text, (iii) audiovisual, (iv) presentation, and (v) medical content. Videos offered the most customization opportunities (95%), while 47% of websites and 26% of apps did not allow users to tailor health information. None of the printed or printable materials provided the option to customize the information. Overall, 65% of analyzed CHIMs did not allow users to tailor health information according to their needs.

Conclusion: Our results show that CHIMs for type-2 diabetes mellitus could be significantly improved by providing more customization options for users. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness and usability of these options to enhance the development and appropriate provision of modifiable features in health information.

Keywords: consumer health information; health literacy; tailoring health information; type-2 diabetes mellitus; user-centered customization options.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Comment

MeSH terms

Consumer Health Information*
Decision Making
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
Health Literacy*
Health Status
Humans

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (grant no. FG 11-B) as part of the project “Human-Centered Interactive Adaptive Visual Approaches in High-Quality Health Information”.