Open AccessCustomization versus Personalisation of Digital Health Information
Author(s) -
Minh Hao Nguyen,
Nadine Bol,
Andy J. King
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of health communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2673-5903
DOI - 10.47368/ejhc.2020.003
Subject(s) - personalization , recall , health literacy , presentation (obstetrics) , relevance (law) , reading (process) , mode (computer interface) , health information , psychology , digital health , literacy , computer science , multimedia , world wide web , internet privacy , medicine , health care , human–computer interaction , pedagogy , political science , law , economics , cognitive psychology , radiology , economic growth
Health information is increasingly conveyed to patients in digital formats, such as through health websites, patient portals, and electronic health records. However, for people to be able to process information effectively, information must be presented in a suitable format. This study examines the effectiveness of different strategies for tailoring the mode of presentation (i.e., using textual, visual, and/or audio-visual formats) on information processing outcomes among different audiences (i.e., lower vs. higher health literates; younger [25-45 years] vs. older adults [≥65 years]). In an online experiment participants viewed either a customized, personalized, or non-tailored (mismatched) website based on individual preferences for presentation mode. We analysed a 3 (condition) × 2 (health literacy level) × 2 (age group) between-subjects design, examining effects on: time spent online, attention, perceived relevance, website involvement, website satisfaction, and information recall. Results (N = 490) showed that mode tailoring, by both customization and personalisation, is more effective than no tailoring. However, contingent on the outcome variable (i.e., attention, website satisfaction, information recall), or health literacy level, and age group, different tailoring strategies show different effects. Designers of digital health information should strategically consider employing personalized information modes or to have people to customize their own information materials.