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Web-Based Knowledge Translation Tool About Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis for Parents: Pilot Randomized Controlled
Lisa Hartling1, Sarah A Elliott1, Matthew Munan1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Insights
A web-based tool significantly improved parental knowledge and confidence regarding acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. This educational resource supports better health decision-making for pediatric AGE management at home.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Knowledge Translation
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a primary cause of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits.
- Viral infections are the main cause of pediatric AGE, manageable at home with proper hydration strategies.
- A web-based knowledge translation (KT) tool was developed to enhance parental understanding and decision-making for pediatric AGE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based KT tool for pediatric acute gastroenteritis (AGE).
- Assessed impact on parental knowledge, healthcare decision-making, resource utilization, and perceived value.
- Investigated usability and satisfaction with the KT tool compared to a control video.
Main Methods:
- Parents of children under 16 presenting with AGE symptoms were recruited from a pediatric ED.
- Participants were randomized to receive either the web-based KT tool or a sham video.
- Knowledge, decision regret, and healthcare use were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 4-14 days post-discharge.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significantly higher knowledge scores immediately post-intervention and at follow-up compared to the control group.
- Parents receiving the KT tool reported increased confidence in their knowledge.
- The web-based KT tool was rated higher for usability and satisfaction than the sham video.
Conclusions:
- The web-based KT tool effectively enhanced parental knowledge and confidence regarding pediatric AGE.
- Improved knowledge is a crucial step towards behavior change in managing childhood illnesses.
- Further research is recommended to explore optimal information delivery and influencing factors in parental health decision-making.
Background:
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children is a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits, resulting in substantial health care costs and stress for families and caregivers. The majority of pediatric AGE cases are caused by viral infections and can be managed at home using strategies to prevent dehydration. To increase knowledge of, and support health decision-making for, pediatric AGE, we developed a knowledge translation (KT) tool (fully automated web-based whiteboard animation video).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the potential effectiveness of the web-based KT tool in terms of knowledge, health care decision-making, use of resources, and perceived benefit and value.
Methods:
A convenience sample of parents was recruited between December 18, 2020, and August 10, 2021. Parents were recruited in the ED of a pediatric tertiary care hospital and followed for up to 14 days after the ED visit. The eligibility criteria included parent or legal guardian of a child aged <16 years presenting to the ED with an acute episode of diarrhea or vomiting, ability to communicate in English, and agreeable to follow-up via email. Parents were randomized to receive the web-based KT tool (intervention) about AGE or a sham video (control) during their ED visit. The primary outcome was knowledge assessed before the intervention (baseline), immediately after the intervention, and at follow-up 4 to 14 days after ED discharge. Other outcomes included decision regret, health care use, and KT tool usability and satisfaction. The intervention group participants were invited to participate in a semistructured interview to gather additional feedback about the KT tool.
Results:
A total of 103 parents (intervention: n=51, 49.5%, and control: n=52, 50.5%) completed the baseline and postintervention assessments. Of these 103 parents, 78 (75.7%; intervention: n=36, 46%, and control: n=42, 54%) completed the follow-up questionnaire. Knowledge scores after the intervention (mean 8.5, SD 2.6 vs mean 6.3, SD 1.7; P<.001) and at follow-up (mean 9.1, SD 2.7 vs mean 6.8, SD 1.6; P<.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group. After the intervention, parents in the intervention group reported greater confidence in knowledge than those in the control group. No significant difference in decision regret was found at any time point. Parents rated the KT tool higher than the sham video across 5 items assessing usability and satisfaction.
Conclusions:
The web-based KT tool improved parental knowledge about AGE and confidence in their knowledge, which are important precursors to behavior change. Further research is needed into understanding what information and delivery format as well as other factors influence parents' decision-making regarding their child's health.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03234777; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03234777.
International Registered Report Identifier (Irrid):
RR2-10.1186/s40814-018-0318-0.
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