10 months ago
SCARBOROUGH (NEWS CENTER) -- Researchers at Maine Medical Center's Research Institute are using interactive computer programming to help people become informed and make healthier lifestyle choices. People are prompted to answer a few questions about themselves in an on-line questionnaire and the computer then provides information tailored to the individual.
The first trial they are working on involves young women smokers who are at risk of serious health complications from smoking. Researchers chose them to start with because their numbers are on the rise while most other age group's rates of use are in decline.
"What we developed are videos that are targeting specifically the women and trying to get at the reasons why they smoke and the barriers for quitting," said Dr. Nananda Col, director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Maine Medical Center Research Institute. "The idea that there is a one size fits all smoking cessation message that is gong to hit everybody, I think, doesn't make a whole lot of sense."
When a patient enters information into the program, it responds with video presentations that are real reactions and experiences of other women with similar backgrounds. Researchers say the message is more likely to be listened to when it comes from someone the user can relate with.
"Clinicians and researchers are trying to use what we know about science to actually improve the quality of care and help patient's live better," said Dr. Col. "Part of the approach that we've been using in this is to give people the confidence that they can in fact make a change and then once they have that confidence, actually give them the tools and let them know what their options are."
Dr. Col hopes to launch the program sometime near the end of the year. She says the program can be modified to work for other health issues such as drug abuse and childhood obesity and will help doctors and other healthcare providers approach their patient's needs.
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