High school peer tutors teach MedlinePlus: a model for Hispanic outreach.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to introduce the MedlinePlus Website to the predominantly Hispanic residents of the Lower Rio Grande Valley region of Texas by partnering with a health professions magnet high school (known as Med High).


METHODS
Community assessment was used in the planning stages and included pre-project focus groups with students and teachers. Outreach methods included peer tutor selection, train-the-trainer sessions, school and community outreach, and pre- and posttests of MedlinePlus training sessions. Evaluation methods included Web statistics; end-of-project interviews; focus groups with students, faculty, and librarians; and end-of-project surveys of students and faculty.


RESULTS
Four peer tutors reached more than 2,000 people during the project year. Students and faculty found MedlinePlus to be a useful resource. Faculty and librarians developed new or revised teaching methods incorporating MedlinePlus. The project enhanced the role of school librarians as agents of change at Med High. The project continues on a self-sustaining basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Using peer tutors is an effective way to educate high school students about health information resources and, through the students, to reach families and community members.
Warner
Debra G
DG
Center for South Texas Programs, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2102 Treasure Hills Boulevard, Harlingen, Texas 78550, USA. warnerd1@uthscsa.edu
Olney
Cynthia A
CA
Wood
Fred B
FB
Hansen
Lucille
L
Bowden
Virginia M
VM
D000293:Adolescent; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016245:Librarians; D008297:Male; D049293:MedlinePlus / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D024382:Professional Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013781:Texas