E-Learning Material of Evidence-Based Medicine for Laypersons.

Area of Science:

• Health Literacy
• Medical Education
• Digital Health

Background:

• There is a significant need for evidence-based medicine (EBM) education tailored for laypersons.
• Existing EBM educational resources are scarce for the Japanese lay population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the usability of novel e-learning material on EBM for health-conscious individuals in Japan.
• To enhance laypersons' ability to critically appraise health information.

Main Methods:

• Content elements for e-learning were identified through expert evaluation and integrated into a prototype.
• Usability testing involved questionnaire surveys and focus group interviews with health-conscious laypersons.
• The e-learning material was refined based on participant feedback.

Main Results:

• 18 key elements, primarily related to critical appraisal skills and health literacy, were confirmed for the material.
• Usability testing revealed that 76% of participants found the material highly interesting.
• Focus group feedback indicated that story, characters, and relevance to daily life influenced material effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Novel e-learning material on essential EBM components was successfully developed for Japanese laypersons.
• The developed material demonstrated interest and perceived usefulness for laypersons in managing daily health information.
• The study highlights the potential of e-learning to improve health literacy and EBM understanding among the general public.