Abstract

This project involved the development of a unique web-based environment to help patients understand and manage their disease. The project's main objectives were to help patients gain easy and direct access to the database of disease information (disease synopsis, a list of books and medical literature, and direct links to other credible websites) and the disease's respective health self-monitoring form. This website was unique because it was first of its kind to have an on-line individualizable and printable health management form for physicians to give to their patients. Furthermore, this website also served as a supplementary tool for patients to get general information and resources for their diagnosis. In this study. there were three main phases. The first phase was the needs analysis, which surveyed patients and physicians from a rural Connecticut community. The second phase involved the pedagogical and technical development of the on-line Health Monitor Initiative (HMI). The last phase involved the evaluation of the HMI system.