Medical Alert Cards for patients with an anorectal malformation: a useful tool to increase awareness

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Congenital Anomalies
• Healthcare Communication

Background:

• Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are rare congenital anomalies impacting anatomy and necessitating frequent hospitalizations.
• Effective family-centered care for ARMs relies on parental awareness and clear communication.
• Patient-held medical alert cards are a potential tool to bridge information gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of patient-held ARM Medical Alert Cards on healthcare providers and caregivers.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of these cards in enhancing awareness of ARMs.
• To identify areas for improvement in the design and utility of ARM Medical Alert Cards.

Main Methods:

• Caregivers of children with ARMs received Medical Alert Cards containing contact details, disease information, and patient-specific data.
• A survey was administered to caregivers and healthcare professionals to evaluate the cards' effectiveness.
• Data analysis focused on card helpfulness, content coherence, layout reception, and willingness to use.

Main Results:

• 88% of respondents found the cards helpful in increasing ARM awareness.
• The card content was coherent with a high readability score (median 9).
• Card layout (94%) and contact clarity were well-received, aiding referrals; 93% of caregivers were willing to use them.

Conclusions:

• Medical Alert Cards for ARMs enhance understanding among caregivers and healthcare providers.
• These cards serve as a vital tool for patient-centered management strategies.
• Future iterations could benefit from more patient-specific data and visual aids.