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Review
. 2024 Feb 21:12:1252244.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1252244. eCollection 2024.

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

Cornelia Krenn  1 , Thomas Semlitsch  1 , Carolin Zipp  1 , Stefan Lengauer  2 , Lin Shao  2   3 , Tobias Schreck  2 , Michael Bedek  4 , Cordula Kupfer  4 , Dietrich Albert  4 , Bettina Kubicek  4 , Andrea Siebenhofer  1   5 , Klaus Jeitler  1   6
Affiliations
Review

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

Cornelia Krenn et al. Front Public Health. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of search for CHIMs and selection of the representative sample on T2DM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean number of customization options in the main categories in which it was theoretically possible.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of CHIMs without versus at least one customization option in different media.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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