Perla A. Vargas|Elías Robles|James A. Harris|Peggy Radford
Using Information Technology to Reduce Asthma Disparities in Underserved Populations: A Pilot Study
Arizona State University|Arizona State University|Phoenix Children's Hospital|Phoenix Children's Hospital
background low health literacy identified independent predictor poor asthma control institute medicine considers role information technology critical providing safe effective patient centered timely efficient equitable care potential reduce health disparities underserved populations aim study design evaluate interactive computerbased questionnaire assess asthma symptoms children parents limited health literacy andor limited english proficiency methods volunteer caregivers attending mobile asthma clinic randomly assigned complete electronic paperandpencil version asthma screening questionnaire asq language choice english spanish electronic version tablet computer used present asq questions video clips collect information touchscreen participants also completed demographic questionnaire brief health literacy questionnaire system usability satisfaction questionnaire reliability paper electronic selfassessments evaluated comparing participants answers information provided nurseguided structured interview gold standard results total 48 parents participated study 26 completed electronic asq 21 paperandpencil form thirtyfive percent children wellcontrolled asthma n 17 participants spanish speaking 67 hispanic n 44 mothers n 43 median age 32 years half 8 years education n 25 earned 20000 per year n 27 median health literacy score 32 range 036 correlation health literacy scores years education significant 47 p 01 concordance electronic asq nurse interview significantly higher concordance paper asq nurse interview 68 versus 54 p 01 parents completed electronic questionnaire reported satisfied 96 felt comfortable using found simple use conclusions facilitating assessment asthma symptoms manageable cost interactive information technology tools may help reduce barriers access due inadequate levels english proficiency health literacy