JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in children is a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits, resulting in significant healthcare costs and stress on families and caregivers. The majority of cases are caused by viral infections and can be managed at home using strategies to prevent dehydration. To increase knowledge and support health decision-making for pediatric AGE, we developed a knowledge translation (KT) tool (fully automated web-based whiteboard animation video).

Objective:

To assess the potential effectiveness of the web-based KT tool in terms of knowledge, healthcare decision making, use of resources, and perceived benefit/value.

Methods:

A convenience sample of parents was recruited between December 2020 and August 2021. Parents were recruited in the ED of a pediatric tertiary care hospital and followed for up to 14 days post-ED visit. Eligibility criteria included: parent or legal guardian of a child under 16 presenting to the ED with acute episode of diarrhea and/or vomiting; ability to community in English; and agreeable to follow-up via email. Parents were randomized to receive the web-based KT tool (intervention) about AGE or sham video (control) during their ED visit. The primary outcome was knowledge assessed pre-intervention (baseline), immediately after (post-intervention) and at follow-up 4-14 days after ED discharge. Other outcomes included decision regret, healthcare utilization, KT tool usability and satisfaction. Intervention group participants were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to gather additional feedback about the KT tool.

Results:

103 parents (intervention n=51; control n=52) completed the baseline and post-intervention assessments; 78 (control n=42; intervention n=36) completed the follow-up questionnaire. Knowledge scores post-intervention (mean 8.5 [SD 2.6] vs. 6.3 [1.7], p<0.001) and at follow-up (9.1 [2.7] vs. 6.8 [1.6], p<0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group. No significant difference in decision regret was found at any time point. Parents rated the KT tool higher than the sham video across five 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 into understanding what information, delivery format, and other factors influence parents’ decision-making regarding their child’s health is needed. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03234777)