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Comic strips help children understand medical research: targeting the informed consent procedure to children's needs
Petronella Grootens-Wiegers1, Martine C de Vries2, Mara M van Beusekom1
1Department of Science Communication & Society, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
Developing a comic strip with children significantly improved their understanding of medical research concepts. This participatory approach enhanced information provision and engagement in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Research
- Medical Ethics
- Science Communication
Background:
- Children in medical research often struggle to grasp complex study details.
- Effective communication is crucial for informed consent in pediatric clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create accessible information material for children undergoing medical research.
- To improve children's comprehension of essential research concepts using a participatory method.
Main Methods:
- A comic strip was co-developed by science communicators and pediatricians.
- Children involved in clinical trials and school classes provided feedback through surveys and interviews.
- The comic strip was iteratively revised and evaluated with diverse age groups.
Main Results:
- Children found the comic strip engaging and informative.
- Average understanding of 8 key research aspects reached 83%, exceeding 65% for all aspects.
- The material effectively conveyed key messages, demonstrating good comprehension and retention.
Conclusions:
- A co-designed comic strip effectively supports the informed consent process for pediatric research.
- Involving children in material development enhances its quality and acceptance.
- This participatory approach empowers children and fosters their engagement with science.
Objective:
Children involved in medical research often fail to comprehend essential research aspects. In order to improve information provision, a participatory approach was used to develop new information material explaining essential concepts of medical research.
Methods:
A draft of a comic strip was developed by a science communicator in collaboration with pediatricians. The draft was presented to children participating in a clinical trial and to two school classes. Children were consulted for further development in surveys and interviews. Subsequently, the material was revised and re-evaluated in four school classes with children of varying ages and educational levels.
Results:
In the first evaluation, children provided feedback on the storyline, wording and layout. Children thought the comic strip was 'fun' and 'informative'. Understanding of 8 basic research aspects was on average 83% and all above 65%, illustrating that children understood and remembered key messages.
Conclusion:
A comic strip was developed to support the informed consent process. Children were consulted and provided feedback. The resulting material was well understood and accepted.
Practice Implications:
Involving children in the development of information material can substantially contribute to the quality of the material. Children were excited to participate and to 'be a part of science'.
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