What are the effects of a self-care communication-based health education program on ambulatory care utilization?
Description of study population: The 30,000 members of the Rhode Island Group Health Association of Providence provided the population for this study. There were 1,009 Medicare-enrolled families with 1,249 eligible individuals; 560 households were assigned to the experimental group, and 449 to the control group. Only nine eligible individuals refused participation. Description of intervention: Experimental group households received letters that explained the purpose of the research and intervention process. During the intervention, these households also received two reference books (Take Care of Yourself and Life Plan for Your Health), a monthly newsletter, eight brochures on lifestyle topics and self-help groups, and four newsletters and two self-care education packages designed specifically for those over age 60. All materials emphasized individual decisions in the areas of self-care, medical care, utilization and lifestyle. In addition, a nurse coordinator staffed a telephone inform
