Where Should a Public-Access Health Information-System Be Sited

The use of a touch-screen public access health information system was evaluated by monitoring system usage, by interviews with an opportunistic sample of 90 users and by other surveys. To get the largest number of users, such a system needs to be sited in a highly visible setting where there are lots of people passing. For most people, privacy does not appear to be a problem. However, some groups may require more privacy and when siting in 'quieter' places, such as a library this may be more important than in busier anonymous places, or in places where health is a 'natural' topic of interest. Waiting rooms may not be the best sites.