The Delivery of Public Health Interventions via the Internet: Actualizing Their Potential

Abstract

The Internet increasingly serves as a platform for the delivery of public health interventions. The efficacy of Internet interventions has been demonstrated across a wide range of conditions. Much more work remains, however, to enhance the potential for broad population dissemination of Internet interventions. In this article, we examine the effectiveness of Internet interventions, with particular attention to their dissemination potential. We discuss several considerations (characterizing reach rates, minimizing attrition, promoting Web site utilization, use of tailored messaging and social networking) that may improve the implementation of Internet interventions and their associated outcomes. We review factors that may influence the adoption of Internet interventions in a range of potential dissemination settings. Finally, we present several recommendations for future research that highlight the potential importance of better understanding intervention reach, developing consensus regarding Web site usage metrics, and more broadly integrating Web 2.0 functionality.

Recent Internet Use and Associations with Clinical Outcomes among Patients Entering Addiction Treatment Involved in a Web-Delivered Psychosocial Intervention Study

“…28 These encouraging trends prioritize the study of web-based interventions to address fragmented care delivery for vulnerable populations with substance use disorders. 16 In particular, tailoring behavior change intervention content with regard to demographic characteristics has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in print communication and should be assessed further in computer-assisted, webbased psychosocial interventions. 29 …”

“…7 As barriers to internet use are strongly patterned by demographic (e.g., older age, less education) and clinical (e.g., mental illness) characteristics, clarifying the representativeness of individuals willing to participate in an intervention (i.e., reach) is necessary. [13][14][15][16] To date, evidence is lacking of actual reach for web-based interventions due to limited real-world trials. 16 Further, there is limited data characterizing recent internet access among vulnerable populations seeking community-based outpatient treatment for substance use disorders.…”

“…[13][14][15][16] To date, evidence is lacking of actual reach for web-based interventions due to limited real-world trials. 16 Further, there is limited data characterizing recent internet access among vulnerable populations seeking community-based outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. Therefore, it is not known if lack of recent internet access is associated with lower acceptability and clinical impact of web-based psychosocial interventions.…”

A systematic review of eHealth cancer prevention and control interventions: new technology, same methods and designs?

“…However, such advancements in cancer outcomes are not observed among all populations, specifically those with limited access to cancer care and efficacious behavior interventions [2,3]. The recent surge of eHealth interventions (EHIs) presents unique opportunities to enhance cancer prevention and control by increasing intervention reach, adapting to various contextual conditions, being readily available where users live, work, and play, and tailoring information to patients' needs [4][5][6].eHealth research is a relatively young field that is rapidly growing. EHIs have been found to be effective in promoting change in behaviors, knowledge, self-…”

“…efficacy, and clinical outcomes [4][5][6][7][8]. While substantial progress has been made, few efficacious EHIs are adopted or sustained in real-world settings beyond the scope of the research project [5].…”