Survey findings of health education in Health Maintenance Organizations.
A questionnaire was mailed to all HMOs which were either federally qualified or applying for federal qualification, as of May 1978. The survey, which attained a 77% response rate, collected information on the frequency, providers, methods and health problem areas of health education programs in HMOs as well as other health education information. Survey findings show that certain program areas such as nutrition education and weight reduction programs have received greater emphasis than other patient education areas. Certain organizational factors are shown to be useful in describing differences in plans' commitments to health educations. Recommendations are made for further research to identify clearer relationships between health education and other HMO characteristics. HMOs are recommended to assess the health education needs of their memberships and to educate staff regarding their own health risks, health education skills and member expectations and rights.
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States