Evaluating a knowledge translation tool for parents about pediatric acute gastroenteritis: a pilot randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Health Communication
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) significantly impacts children's health and families.
• Effective patient education is crucial for managing AGE.
• Digital knowledge translation (KT) tools offer a promising avenue for disseminating health information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of effectiveness outcomes and trial methods for a new digital KT tool.
• To evaluate a whiteboard animation video designed for parents of children with AGE.
• To inform the design of a full-scale effectiveness trial.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized trial comparing a whiteboard animation video to a sham control video.
• Quantitative data collection on parental knowledge, decision regret, and health utilization.
• Qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews.

Main Results:

• Feasibility data will be gathered across scientific, process, management, and resource domains.
• Confidence intervals will be used to estimate outcomes and guide sample size calculations.
• Preliminary data will inform minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs).

Conclusions:

• This pilot trial will provide essential data for a full-scale effectiveness study.
• Results will impact the field of consumer-targeted KT efforts.
• The study advances the science of patient education for acute childhood illnesses.