Evaluation of the Staying Healthy After Fifty educational program: impact on course participants.
A study to evaluate the impact of a medical self-care program on older adults was conducted. The test group (n = 161) participated in an 11-session educational intervention with training in clinical skills, lifestyle, and the use of health services. The comparison group (n = 164) received no intervention. The test group was assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and six months post-intervention and the comparison group was assessed at corresponding intervals. The results indicated that medical self-care instruction produces substantial improvements in health-related knowledge, health skills performance, and health actions. This study produced no evidence, however, that medical self-care instruction has any effect on health status, the utilization of medical care, or other aspects of life quality.
Benson
L
L
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH.
Nelson
E C
EC
Napps
S E
SE
Roberts
E
E
Kane-Williams
E
E
Salisbury
Z T
ZT
D000368:Aged; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States