Table 5.

Interventions to support older adults’ online health information seeking behaviors.

Study	Main objective	Intervention format	Intervention setting	Intervention evaluation measures
Malone et al [20]	To improve the health literacy skills of older adults	Educational program: Participants could attend every class offered at their library or could select the classes most appropriate to their personal needs and interests. No. of participants: 110	5 local libraries	Method: Pre- vs postsession surveys Qualitative analysis with descriptive statistics: Participants’ confidence in their OHISa increased, and the overall response to the program was positive.
Bertera et al [67]	To increase access to and use of 2 prominent health websites: MedlinePlus.gov and NIHSeniorHealth.gov	2-step training: (1) Training of internet navigators: 13 hours of basic training in computer skills over 13 weeks, plus a 4-hour specific training on 2 health websites and training on how to support peers during the process. No. of participants: 8 (2) Training of older adults living in affordable housing: 2-hour session on basic computer skills and use of 2 specific health websites. No. of participants: 42	A computer learning center located in the community	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys, face-to-face interviews A significant improvement in the ability to use a computer or navigate the web was observed (P<.001). The average navigational skills self-efficacy score for health web sites (P<.001) and computers (P<.001) improved.
Chu et al [68]	To assist older adults with retrieving and evaluating health information resources on the internet	Educational program: 2-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks. Partnering with Seniors for Better Health: Classes included 2 components, computer literacy and health information search strategies. No. of participants: 112	A computer lab offered at a facility of the YWCAb in Houston	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys; survey conducted 6 weeks after training Participants experienced reduced computer anxiety and increased confidence and sense of self-efficacy when retrieving and evaluating internet-based health information (P<.001).
Campbell [79]	To improve the ability to locate health information	Workshops: 2-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks The sessions used constructivist teaching techniques and self-directed learning. No. of participants: 70	A large suburban public library and 2 community centers for older adults	Method: Posttest interview Qualitative assessment by asking participants questions such as “Did your levels of participation in your health care change since you began using the internet?”
Campbell and Nolfi [80]	To teach older adults to access health care information on the internet	Workshops: 2-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks No. of participants: 42 Follow-up survey 1 year after the workshops No. of participants: 27	A large suburban public library and 2 community centers for older adults	Method: Pre- vs. posttest surveys; survey 1 year after the training Statistically significant differences were found between baseline and 5-week follow-up results for MHLCc in males (P=.02) and females (P=.05), as well as for Krantz HOSd information seeking scores (P=.05).
Hoffman-Goetz et al [81]	To improve the internet search skills of adults aged 50 years and older	Workshops: 2-hour workshops once a month, over 4 months. The maximum number of participants per workshop was 15. Total No. of participants: 44	Public library with computer stations, led by a researcher, librarian, and university-based investigators	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys Participants’ search difficulty decreased after the workshops (P<.001). Participants’ understanding of the internet improved after the workshops (P<.001).
Leung et al [82]	To improve basic skills for searching health information on the internet	Workshops: 3-hour training course The number of participants per workshop was 30. Total No. of participants: 88	Local university and company, instructed by nursing lecturer and students	Method: Postsession telephone interviews 1 month after the workshop Participants’ confidence level in seeking health information was significantly associated with the level of satisfaction with the workshop (P<.001).
Campbell [83]	To improve health literacy skills among low-income, minority, and older adults	Workshops: 2-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks No. of participants: 36	Computer labs in 2 low-income, minority residential buildings	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys, survey 6 months after the training Participants experienced reduced anxiety concerning computers and increased confidence in locating health information.
Xie and Bugg [84]	To teach older adults to access and use high-quality internet-based health information	Educational program: 2-hour sessions twice a week over 4 weeks. The maximum number of participants per workshop was 7. Total No. of participants: 100	Public libraries	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys Participants showed significantly reduced computer anxiety (P<.001), increased interest in computers (P=.001), and improved efficacy (P<.001) from pretraining to posttraining.
Chu and Mastel-Smith [85]	To enhance older adults’ ability to grasp and manage health-related information retrieved from the internet and act accordingly	Educational program: 2-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks. No. of participants: 12	A parish-sponsored, older adult leisure learning center	Method: Pre- vs posttest surveys; survey conducted 6 weeks after the training Participants experienced reduced anxiety, increased confidence, and a sense of self-efficacy at the end of the 5-week program and 6 weeks after program completion (P<.001).
Fink and Beck [86]	To improve the eHealth literacy of adults aged 50 years and older	Educational programs: 70 minutes to complete an educational online program and answer questions. No. of participants: 64	Internet-based setting	Method: Experimental group vs control group survey comparison Compared to the control group, the experimental group participants rated higher usability and learned more information on a new website.

^aOHIS: online health information seeking.

^bYWCA: Young Women's Christian Association.

^cMHLC: multidimensional health locus of control.

^dHOS: health opinion survey.