| As a result of suboptimal decision-making, many Americans face lowered quality and years of life. Consumer Health Information (CHI) Systems are networked computer information systems that provide the general public with amass to health information, decision support and communication, and, that may serve to improve the health of the public. This Dissertation is a review of the context within which CHI Systems are being developed, issues to consider when developing such systems, and the future direction of their evolution.;There are several underlying market and industry forces that combined have brought about widespread development of CHI Systems. These forces include health care reform, the consumer movement, and advances in computer, telecommunication and entertainment technologies. There are four generations of the evolution of CHI Systems: (1) Information and Retrieval, (2) Computer Mediated, (3) Personal Health Information Systems, and (4) Community Health Information Networks. We are now entering the third generation.;Researchers and developers can benefit from understanding the following about CHI Systems: (1) their potential capabilities, uses and current evidence of effectiveness, (2) obstacles to useful and widespread utilization (including lack of access, security and confidentiality concerns, questions of quality of information, difficulties in usability, lack of information standards, variable performance, and information overload), (3) underlying theories which explain how CHI Systems may lead to individual behavior and community changes, and (4) unique methodological issues in evaluating and reporting about CHI Systems.;The conclusion offers a look at the direction of the evolution of CHI Systems, and discusses primary considerations for Public Health professionals who become involved with their development and use. |
