title: The effectiveness of a self-care management interactive multimedia module.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and test an interactive multimedia module prototype designed to accommodate adults with limited literacy and without computer skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental, randomized, controlled, pretest, post-test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cancer treatment centers in California, Louisiana (pilot). New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients who were at least 18 years old with a minimum fifth-grade reading level; 86 experimental treatment, 88 control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental treatment involved use of the interactive multimedia module; the control group received customary Instruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared to the control group, subjects in the experimental group had significant improvement (p = 0.0001; 257% gain) in self-care ability regardless of age, sex race, education, geographic location, reading ability, computer experience, or preferred learning style; a 6.515% increase in fatigue content covered and 16.775% Increase in instructional duration; and significantly greater benefit from sleep-related activities and a consistent, positive pattern of self-care behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program is instructionally effective, appropriate for a wide and geographically diverse audience, and feasible for use in the ambulatory setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interactive multimedia module is an effective, self-directed resource for individualized patient fatigue education.
authors.affiliation: MasterPoint Video Productions, Inc, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. wydra628@bellsouth.net
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Wydra
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004522:Educational Status; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care