May 31, 2005
Contact: Abena Foreman-Trice
(434) 243-2734
UVA LAUNCHES CONSUMER HEALTH INSTITUTE
Made Possible by a Million Dollar Grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Virginians sometimes turn to the news, word of mouth and the Internet for health care advice, in addition to their physician. With so many resources available, how do they sort through all the medical chatter? Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System hope to answer that question through the newly created Consumer Health Education Institute (CHEDI). With a $1 million dollar grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Virginia, researchers with CHEDI will address the shortcomings of what they see as a-one-size-fits all approach to communicating health information. Their plan is to improve health care for Virginians by bringing them medical information in a format best suited to their unique needs and their preferences.
“The Consumer Health Education Institute has an overall goal of fostering high-quality health care for all Virginians,” said Dr. Arthur Garson, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine at UVa Health System and lead researcher of the study. “One way we hope to do this is by learning how patients prefer to receive their medical information and then providing them with the appropriate materials based on their learning styles and characteristics.”
“This research is important because it can demonstrate how consumers choose their health care and what influences their behavior,” according to Dr. Randy Axelrod, chief medical director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Virginia. “This will provide an evidence-based way for practitioners to improve communications with patients.”
Researchers will first survey health care consumers in Virginia, then group them according to characteristics and preferences for getting health care information. For example, some people like receiving information through pamphlets and booklets and may view the Internet with some disdain, while others may prefer the Internet to written materials.
Wendy Cohn, Ph.D., co-director for CHEDI, adds that in the long-term, researchers will do a comprehensive evaluation of this approach to show its usefulness in improving health care for all Virginians and provide a blue print for other states. It is believed that the more effectively the medical community reaches out to its patients, the better patients will be able to manage their own health issues. To find out more about CHEDI or to conduct interviews for a story, please call the Public Relations Office at (434) 924-5679 or call Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Virginia at (804) 354-3926.
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