Educational Blogshots for Parenting Health Decisions

Overseen By Samantha Cyrkot, MsC

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Not parent, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

174 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this multi-method study including a randomized control trial and qualitative interviews is to see how useful blogshots (an image that summarizes information) are at helping parents increase their knowledge and manage their expectations for common acute childhood conditions (e.g. sore throat, ear infection) with respect to Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations. Participants will be randomly assigned to Group A or Group B in this study. Group A will receive three of six blogshots over a 4-week period (a different blogshot will be sent by email to them each week for three weeks, then in the final week they will receive the same three blogshots in one summary email to review). Group B will receive the other three of six blogshots, following the same email sequence and timing. All participants from both groups will be asked to complete one baseline questionnaire at the start of the study and a follow-up questionnaire at week 5, month 3 and month 6 about different common acute childhood conditions, the blogshots and their content. All participants also have the option to participate in an optional semi-structured interview to give their thoughts on the blogshots and their experience in the study. Researchers will compared each participant's baseline score to their follow up scores to see if there was a change in their knowledge and expectations. By developing and evaluating evidence-based Choosing Wisely Canada resources, the researchers aim to make it easier for parents to choose wisely. Empowering parents to be part of conversations with their child's healthcare provider can improve health decision-making and reduce health system costs.

Research Team

Lisa Hartling, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alberta

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for parents or legal guardians over the age of 18, living in Canada, with a child under 5. They must be able to read and speak English, have internet access, and use an electronic device like a computer or smartphone.

Inclusion Criteria

I can speak and read English well enough to complete a questionnaire and interview.

I am over 18 years old.

I am the parent or guardian of a child younger than 5.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

I am not a parent or guardian of a child under 5.

No access to an electronic device (e.g. computer, tablet or smart phone), Internet and email.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive blogshots over a 4-week period to increase knowledge and manage expectations for common acute childhood conditions.

4 weeks

Weekly email delivery of blogshots

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up questionnaires to assess knowledge retention and changes in expectations and intentions.

6 months

Questionnaires at week 5, month 3, and month 6

Qualitative Interviews (optional)

Participants may opt into semi-structured interviews to provide feedback on the blogshots and their experience in the study.

Conducted between week 5 and month 3

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Blogshots 1-3
• Blogshots 4-6

Trial Overview The study tests if 'blogshots'—images summarizing information—help parents understand and manage expectations for treating common childhood conditions according to Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group A - Sore Throat Swab, Cough and Cold, Asthma Active Control 1 Intervention

Group A will receive three of six blogshots (different to Group B) over a 4-week period (a different blogshot will be sent by email to them each week for three weeks, then in the final week they will receive the same three blogshots in one summary email to review). They will act as their own control group. All participants from both groups will be asked to complete one baseline questionnaire at the start of the study and a follow-up questionnaire at week 5, month 3 and month 6 about different common acute childhood conditions, the blogshots and their content. All participants can also participate in an optional semi-structured interview to give their thoughts on the blogshots and their experience in the study.

Group II: Group B - Ear Infection, Bronchiolitis, Antibiotics for Sore Throat Active Control 1 Intervention

Group B will receive three of six blogshots (different to Group A) over a 4-week period (a different blogshot will be sent by email to them each week for three weeks, then in the final week they will receive the same three blogshots in one summary email to review). They will act as their own control group. All participants from both groups will be asked to complete one baseline questionnaire at the start of the study and a follow-up questionnaire at week 5, month 3 and month 6 about different common acute childhood conditions, the blogshots and their content. All participants can also participate in an optional semi-structured interview to give their thoughts on the blogshots and their experience in the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Pediatric Parent Advisory Group (ARCHE and ECHO)

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

180+

Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Canada

Collaborator

Trials

18

Recruited

24,800+