Webhealth Kiosks
Physical Requirements and Structure The Business Case for Kiosks in Your Organisation How Useful do Users find the Webhealth Kiosks? Comments from Webhealth Kiosk Users This information is available for download as a PDF Brochure - Reducing Barriers to Access |  |
We live in a time when there has never been better access to health and wellbeing information, yet ironically that can create its own barrier to accessing the information we really need.
Why are there Barriers?
For many people, not knowing how to use a computer is a huge barrier to getting the information they need. For those of us who do know we are often time poor or feel overwhelmed with all the information that's out there. So we give up.
The Solution
Webhealth Kiosks provide one touch access to a wealth of local and relevant health and social service information available on webhealth.co.nz right where people go about their daily lives.
The top web pages people go to when they use a Webhealth Kiosk are "Find a Health or Social Service", "Community Noticeboard" and "Information". With Webhealth touchscreen Kiosks it doesn't matter if you don't have a home internet connection haven't learnt how to operate a computer or can't organize the time to find the information you need. Along with the general population Webhealth Kiosks have been proven to be effective in providing access to vital information for Youth, Maori, Pacific Island Peoples, and those from lower socio economic backgrounds.
With a touch of your finger you can navigate through the 100+ webhealth.co.nz information pages, email the information to yourself or others and also view specifically selected websites.
Smart Technology
It is possible to modify the content of Webhealth Kiosks on an individual basis. This means content can be tailored specifically to the needs of the community, organisation, environment and demographics of a kiosk location.
Webhealth Kiosks contain a library of video resources on relevant health and wellbeing topics, especially relevant to those with reading difficulties. Kiosks can be supplied in a variety of formats including free standing, wall mounted and desktop versions. This enables placement of kiosks to be considered in a diverse range of locations. Flexibility of format also allows the location of kiosks to be merchandised and advertised in creative ways providing the opportunity to better alert potential users of their locations.
Saving Time and Money
Webhealth kiosks can be a valuable time saver in organisations where people can self access relevant information and community services allowing staff to focus on issues requiring their expertise.
Tailored to Your Message
Kiosk content can be modified to reflect and emphasise current health campaigns and other relevant initiatives that relate to their location. The ability to individualise kiosk content also creates a valuable research tool where different content can be measured in relation to access and usability between kiosks.
Best of Health Awards 2008 - Webhealth Kiosks were awarded first prize in the Continuous Improvement Non-Clinical Support Category at the Waikato 2008 Best of Health Awards on November 2008. The judges commended the Webhealth Kiosk Project for its community based approach to the important issue of public access to information regarding local Health and Social Services. With a simple design and easy to understand language, Webhealth Kiosks meet the needs of the wider community and form a bridge between non-clinical and clinical information and services.
Physical Structure and Requirement
Physical Requirements:
- A power outlet
- A broadband internet connection
- The freestanding kiosk can be affixed to the flooring by bolts if necessary but is quite stable without bolting
- A bottle of spray and wipe to clean the screen
Physical Structure:
The freestanding kiosks are 1491mm x 551mm x 523mm with a total footprint of 0.29 square metres. The construction is steel and the touchscreen itself can withstand a direct hit from a hammer.
Non armoured desktop kiosks are also available for more supervised environments such as reception areas.
Reporting and Support
Webhealth Kiosk usage generates a huge amount of raw data, such as services viewed, pages visited, key words searched. The information is collated and presented in the quarterly reports to Webhealth Kiosk funders. This statistical analysis is useful for gauging the "pulse" of a community, identifying to the funder what the community needs are and enabling resources to be prioritised into those areas.
Linkage ensures the maintenance and consistent functioning of Webhealth Kiosks through site visits, software and hardware upgrading and remote management.
The Business Case for Kiosks in Your Organisation
For your Staff
In New Zealand, workplace absence costs more than $3 billion a year, a staggering $1693 per employee per year.
Much of this absenteeism can be potentially linked to depression, drug and alcohol misuse, stress and distress caused by non work related issues such as relationship difficulties, manageable conditions such as asthma and diabetes, and simply low morale.
Webhealth Kiosks offer staff a way to be proactive in managing these situations, giving employees the tools to make good choices about their health and wellbeing. The introduction of kiosks as a service for your employees can form an effective part of any Workplace Wellness or Work/Life Balance program you may be considering.
For Your Customers and Potential Customers
Webhealth Kiosks create a great branding and publicity opportunity for your organisation. The Kiosks physical structure offers a large template for organisational branding and messages. Individual Kiosk content can be customised, so on screen messages about your organisations' products and services can be displayed.
By partnering with the Webhealth Kiosk service your organisation is seen as being community minded and growing goodwill, as well as capitalising on the publicity opportunities that are created.
How Useful Do Users find Webhealth Kiosks?
People using Webhealth Kiosks do so for a variety of reasons. In January 2009 people looked for services and information by entering the following keywords: employment, parenting, child care, legal advice, budgeting, food banks, GPs, dental, counselling, bullying and more.
In March 2009, 4,244 pages were viewed across all Webhealth Kiosks currently deployed and 2,690 service provider's details were accessed. 55% of Waikato Webhealth Kiosk users found a service provider that they were happy to follow through and make contact with of which 63% felt that their needs had been met by that service provider.
Comments from Webhealth Kiosk Users
- I am a health promotion coordinator and was looking for evidence based need. The need is very obvious. I think you have done a great job. Keep it going
- I think that this is very useful to find out about certain things that help you understand things about your health and your family's health
- It was really cool this service easy to handle and locate certain information
- Perfect, touch screen and thorough guideline, well done
- Hospitals all over the country should have these kinds of technology handy for the public to use
- Because it is fast and easy and you just have to touch it, this is just so easy to use and makes everything easy for anyone who uses it
- Everything I need to know was on this website so thank you
- This service is great I think we need more things like this in the world. So simple and fun
at the same time - Great tool. Good to have this type of technology in Taumarunui. Thanks for providing this type of service
- The machine arrived Wednesday morning. It has been put to good use.
- All of our visitors and staff find the Kiosk most helpful.
If you would like to make enquiries about getting Webhealth Kiosks or any of the other Linkage Trust Services in your area please contact Manager Funding & Marketing, Graham Potter on:
Mobile (021) 750 827
Email graham@webhealth.co.nz
