Internet-based Tailored Virtual Human Health Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening: Design Guidelines...

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Communication
• Digital Health

Background:

• Internet-based virtual humans (VH) are utilized for health interventions to influence user behavior.
• Challenges in VH health interventions can impact user perceptions and engagement.
• Promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is a key application area for VH interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of visual design and information medium on user intentions regarding health information.
• To derive design guidelines for effective Internet-based VH health interventions.
• To enhance user engagement with health topics, specifically CRC screening.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted: a focus group (n=73) examining visual design influences and an online survey (n=1,400) assessing information medium impact.
• Focus group transcripts analyzed perceptions of VH visual realism, healthcare role, and provider logo.
• Online survey data analyzed user focus on VH appearance and intention to pursue health information.

Main Results:

• User perceptions of visual design were influenced by VH realism, healthcare role, and provider logo presence.
• Few users focused on VH appearance; animated VHs delivering information were recommended over text for increasing user intention.
• Design guidelines were developed to improve VH-based health interventions.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based VH health interventions require careful design considerations to be effective.
• Animated VHs are a recommended medium for delivering health information to promote user engagement.
• Derived design guidelines can assist developers in creating impactful VH interventions for behavior change.