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A randomized controlled trial on the effect of an information booklet for young families in Denmark
Insights
Written health education empowers young families to manage minor childhood illnesses, increasing self-treatment and reducing general practitioner (GP) visits. This approach enhances parental confidence in managing common childhood ailments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Health Education
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Young families often face challenges managing minor childhood illnesses.
- Understanding illness behavior is crucial for effective healthcare interventions.
- Parental education can influence healthcare-seeking behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe young families' illness behavior for children aged 0-8 years.
- To assess the impact of written health education on managing minor childhood illnesses.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of health education in reducing general practitioner (GP) consultations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 100 young families.
- Families were divided into a study group (receiving written health education) and a control group.
- Illness behavior and GP consultation rates were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- The study group demonstrated increased self-treatment for minor illnesses.
- Families receiving health education had fewer consultations with their general practitioner (GP).
- Worry was less frequently cited as the primary reason for GP consultation in the study group, though GPs found consultation appropriateness similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Written health education is effective in promoting self-management of minor childhood illnesses.
- Providing patient education manuals during child check-ups can facilitate GP-parent dialogue.
- Further integration of health education into routine pediatric care is recommended.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to describe young families' illness-behavior in connection with minor illness in children aged 0-8 years, and to assess the effect of delivered written health education. The effectiveness of written health education in the management of minor illness was evaluated by a randomized controlled trial. One hundred young families from one group practice were allocated at random to a study group and a control group. The study group received written health education. Health education resulted in more self-treatment and fewer contacts with the general practitioner (GP), and the families indicated worry less often as the main reason for consulting the GP. The GPs' assessment of the appropriateness of the families' consultations showed no significant differences between the study and the control groups. It is recommended that GPs, in connection with prophylactic child examinations, hand over a patient education manual. This manual could form the basis for a dialogue between the GP and the parents when their child becomes ill.