Comparing the Effectiveness of Automated Online Counseling to Standard Web-Based Education on Improving Acne Knowledge: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: American journal of clinical dermatology Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 55 - 60
• Main Authors: Tuong, William, Wang, Audrey S., Armstrong, April W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-02-2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Counseling - methods; Dermatology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Internet; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Research Article; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacotherapy; Time Factors; Atopic Dermatitis; Acne Treatment; Dialog System; Acne; Online Counseling
• ISSN: 1175-0561; 1179-1888
• DOI: 10.1007/s40257-014-0104-6

Background
Evidence regarding what comprises effective education for acne vulgaris patients is lacking. Internet-based education may improve patient knowledge of this condition.
Objectives
Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of standard web-based education and an automated counseling website in improving acne knowledge.
Design
In a randomized trial, participants visited either a standard website or an automated counseling website to learn about acne. Multiple-choice questions were administered at baseline and after 12 weeks to assess change in acne knowledge.
Results
A total of 97 high school students were enrolled, and 95 completed the study. The standard website group had a significant increase in knowledge from baseline (3.61 ± 1.22) to 12-week follow-up (5.46 ± 1.31,
p
 < 0.001). Similarly, the automated counseling website group had a significant increase in knowledge between both time points (3.53 ± 1.50 vs. 6.49 ± 1.06,
p
 < 0.001). After 12 weeks, mean improvement in knowledge was higher in the automated counseling group (2.96 ± 1.85) than in the standard website group (1.85 ± 1.46,
d
 = 0.67,
p
 = 0.002). The number of website visits was positively correlated with improvement in knowledge in both groups. Finally, the automated counseling website group rated their educational material more useful (
p
 = 0.004) and more enjoyable to view (
p
 = 0.003) than did the standard website group.
Limitations
This study is limited to adolescents with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Conclusion
Internet-based patient education appears to be an effective method of improving acne knowledge among adolescents.