title: Effectiveness of a Web-based genomics training for health educators in Texas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With advanced genomic developments, better prevention strategies are available via personalized genomic services. Because there is a shortage of genetic professionals, and primary-care providers are overwhelmed with routine practice, involving health educators--whose expertise includes educating the general public and promoting healthy behavior--to provide basic genomics education may facilitate better services. We developed the first evidence- and theory-based family health history Web-based training for Texas health educators. This report presents its evaluation results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately one-third of Texas health educators holding (Master) Certified Health Education Specialist designation (~40% were racial/ethnic minorities) participated in the family health history Web-based training. Attitudes, self-efficacy, intention, knowledge, and practice were assessed at baseline, immediately after training, and 3 months posttraining. Qualitative data were collected to provide additional evaluation findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants significantly improved their attitudes, knowledge, intention, and self-efficacy regarding family health history education, immediately posttraining and after 3 months. The number of participants practicing family health history was significantly increased. Participants' overall assessment of the program was positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This family health history Web-based training successfully increased the number of genomically competent and culturally diverse Texas health educators. Ongoing efforts are needed to sustain and expand this education as well as to disseminate it to all health educators in the United States.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Lei-Shih
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goodson
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Eunju
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muenzenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Oi-Man
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005192:Family Health / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D023281:Genomics / Q000193:education*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D040441:Health Educators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult