INLS 515 Consumer Health Information

INLS 515 Consumer Health Information
Instructor: Fei Yu, PhD, MPS
Class Schedule: Tuesday 2 pm – 4:45 pm
Location: Zoom (Synchronous + Asynchronous modes)

Course Description
INLS 515 Consumer Health Information introduces the dynamic field of consumer health information, focusing on the role of information professionals in supporting health information searching, evaluation, comprehension, and informed health decision-making. The course covers essential topics such as finding and evaluating health information resources, health literacy, and the impact of health information technology (health IT) on healthcare and patient outcomes. Students will also explore community outreach and the integration of Artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) in consumer health information search and content production. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and engagement with health information tools and resources, students will learn to apply core principles of consumer health information across various health information service contexts, promoting the health and well-being of individuals, groups, and the general public.

Course Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Confidently seek, find, and evaluate health information and resources.
2. Collaborate with key stakeholders to produce, edit, or tailor health information content for clear and accessible communication with specific audiences.
3. Understand the usability principles in digital health technologies to increase information access for patients, caregivers, and the general public.
4. Design or implement health information services within public or academic libraries, public health organizations, or clinical settings.

Textbooks
There is no required textbook. All required and supplementary readings are available in Canvas>Modules. Students are expected to complete all required reading and activities before attending class sessions.

Class Structure
Each class session will consist of (1) instructor and/or guest speaker lecture, (2) student activities, and (3) student discussion on proposed topics and readings. In addition, students should spend additional time outside the class for weekly readings, assignments, and a class project.

Course Requirement
Attendance 10%

Class participation

• Student in-class activities 20%
• Class discussions 10%

Assignments 30%

• Homework 1
• Homework 2
• Homework 3

Class project & presentation 20%

Schedule
You should regularly check the Canvas site for the course schedule and assigned readings.
Class Topic Readings

1. Introduction & Overview Canvas>Modules>Lesson 1
2. Finding and Evaluating Online Health Resources Canvas>Modules>Lesson 2
3. Health Research Databases & Evidence-Based Medicine Canvas>Modules>Lesson 3
4. Consumer Health Information Literacy – Part I Canvas>Modules>Lesson 4
5. Consumer Health Information Literacy – Part II Canvas>Modules>Lesson 5
6. Online Support Groups & Ethics Canvas>Modules>Lesson 6
7. Health Information Literacy Instruction & Patient Education Canvas>Modules>Lesson 7 *Guest Speaker Session
8. Artificial Intelligence (AI)/GenAI Assisted Consumer Health Information Canvas>Modules>Lesson 8
9. Health Info Needs and Disparities: Old Adults Canvas>Modules>Lesson 9
10. Health Info Needs and Disparities: Adolescents Canvas>Modules>Lesson 10
11. Outreach and Community Engagement: Library Services Canvas>Modules>Lesson 11 *Guest Speaker Session
12. Consumer Health IT (EHRs/Patient Portals/mHealth) – Usability inspection Canvas>Modules>Lesson 12
13. Complementary and Integrative Medicine Canvas>Modules>Lesson 13 *Guest Speaker Session
14. Class Project Presentation Canvas>Modules>Lesson 14

Absence
This is a weekly class, and a lot of materials are packed into each session. If you miss a session, you will miss a lot. If you have more than two absences (or any unexcused absences), your attendance and participation grade will decrease by 25% for every subsequent absence. Early communication about potential absences is important. Please note that when requesting a university-approved absence, you are subject to the standards of the Honor Code.

Writing Skills and Citation Information
Strong written communication skills are essential in both academic and professional settings. When submitting assignments, your responses must adhere to the following criteria.

• Well-organized: Your writing should have a clear structure, making it easy to follow your arguments or explanations.
• Clarity through Plain Language: Your ideas should be expressed straightforwardly and understandably, avoiding jargon and ensuring accessible for a general audience.
• Conciseness: Be direct and to the point, avoiding unnecessary elaboration.
• Grammatical Accuracy: Ensure your writing is free from grammatical errors.
• Originality: Your work should be your own, showcasing your unique perspective and understanding.
• Citations: Properly cite all sources to acknowledge the work of others and avoid plagiarism.

The following are two citation styles that you can choose from and apply to all your assignments:
APA (American Psychological Association) Style

• In-text citations: (Author, Year): (Smith, 2020)
• Reference list:
  • Books: Author, A.A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter is also used for subtitles. Publisher.
  • Journal articles: Author, A. A, Author, B. B., & Author C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyy

Vancouver Style

• In-text citations: Citations are numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text, and each number corresponds to a specific reference (e.g., [1], {2-4])
• Reference list:
  • Books: Griffiths JP. Guide to qualitative research methods. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021.
  • Journal articles: Smith J, Doe C, Brown, A. The impact of chronic disease on caregivers’ mental health. J Chronic Dis. 2024; 1(2):124-134.

Recommended citation manager:

• Sciwheel
• Zotero
• EndNote

Due Dates and Late Work
The homework assignments are normally due on Tuesdays before 2 PM. A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Students are highly encouraged to submit their homework even if it is late.

Canvas
We will use Canvas for Course Materials, Homework Assignments, and the Class Project Deliverables. It is the responsibility of each student to make sure they have access to Canvas and can submit assignments when they are due. If, for some reason, you are unable to submit an assignment to Canvas, you may email it to me along with a note about the problem you encountered.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Use Guideline
We promote GenAI use for student learning in the classroom. Please observe the following guidelines:

1. Use GenAI tools to help you think, not think for you. For example, do not enter an assignment question into Copilot and copy & paste the response as your answer.
2. Engage with GenAI responsibly and ethically. Always evaluate the AI-generated outputs and consider potential biases, limitations, and ethical implications. In addition, respect privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights.
3. Cite the use of GenAI for its roles in producing your assignment, including, but not limited to, topic selection, brainstorming ideas, research, outlining/planning, drafting, revising, polishing, or others.
   

You are 100% responsible for your assignment. You hold full responsibility for AI-generated content as if you had produced the material by yourself.

Resource URL: Pending

Agenda

Class Schedule: Tuesday 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Location: Zoom (Synchronous + Asynchronous modes)

Week 1: Introduction & Overview
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Course Introduction and Objectives
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Overview of Consumer Health Information
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Student Introductions and Expectations
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Discussion on Lesson 1 Readings
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Q&A

Week 2: Finding and Evaluating Online Health Resources
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Health Resources
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of Online Health Databases
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Resource Evaluation
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 3: Health Research Databases & Evidence-Based Medicine
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Research Databases
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of Evidence-Based Medicine Tools
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Database Search
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback
Homework 1 Due

Week 4: Consumer Health Information Literacy – Part I
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Health Literacy & Plain Language
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of Literacy Tools
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Literacy Assessment
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 5: Consumer Health Information Literacy – Part II
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Health Literacy Tools & Assessment
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of Tools
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Health Literacy Assessment
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 6: Online Support Groups & Ethics
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Guest Speaker Lecture
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Ethical Considerations in Online Groups
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Case Studies
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 7: Health Information Literacy Instruction & Patient Education
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Guest Speaker Session on Health Sciences Librarianship
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Lecture on Patient Education
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Three Patient Education Resource Comparison
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 8: Artificial Intelligence (AI)/GenAI-Assisted Consumer Health Information
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on AI in Health Information Search & Evaluation
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of AI Tools
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: AI Tool Application
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback
Homework 2 Due

Week 9: Health Info Needs and Disparities: Older Adults
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Health Disparities
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Case Studies on Older Adults
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Needs Assessment
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 10: Health Info Needs and Disparities: Adolescents
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Adolescent Health Needs
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Case Studies on Adolescents
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Needs Assessment
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 11: Outreach and Community Engagement: Library Services
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Guest Speaker Session
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Lecture on Community Engagement
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Outreach Plan
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 12: Consumer Health IT (EHRs/Patient Portals/mHealth) – Usability Inspection
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Lecture on Health IT
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Demonstration of Health IT Tools
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Usability Inspection
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback
Homework 3 Due

Week 13: Complementary and Integrative Medicine
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Guest Speaker Session
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Lecture on Integrative Medicine
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Student Activity: Case Studies
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Group Discussion and Feedback

Week 14: Class Project Presentation
2:00 pm – 4:45 pm: Student Presentations and Peer Feedback

Week 15: Final Class Report Due

MLA CE Credits: 40