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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of blogshots (images that summarize information) in helping parents understand and manage common childhood conditions, such as sore throats and ear infections. Participants will receive different sets of blogshots via email over several weeks to determine if these images enhance their knowledge and expectations about these conditions. The trial aims to empower parents to make better health decisions and potentially reduce healthcare costs. It is suitable for parents or legal guardians in Canada with children under five, who can read and understand English, and have access to the internet and email. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for parents to contribute to innovative educational tools that could benefit families worldwide.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on educational materials rather than medical treatments, so it's unlikely that you would need to change your medication routine.

What prior data suggests that these blogshots are safe for use in parenting health decisions?

Research has shown that blogshots, images summarizing information, are safe for participants. No reports of negative effects have emerged from using such educational materials. This trial does not test medical treatments and involves no health risks. Instead, it evaluates educational tools.

Participants will receive blogshots to help them understand common childhood conditions like sore throats and ear infections. The aim is to increase their knowledge and assist them in making informed health decisions. Overall, participation in this trial is safe, as it only involves viewing informational content. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these blogshots because they offer a fresh approach to helping parents make informed health decisions for their children. Unlike traditional pamphlets or doctor consultations, blogshots are delivered digitally and provide bite-sized, easily digestible information over a few weeks. This method not only empowers parents by making information more accessible and engaging but also allows them to reflect on the content through follow-up emails. The hope is that this innovative approach will enhance parents' understanding and management of common childhood conditions like sore throats, ear infections, and asthma, potentially leading to better health outcomes for their kids.

What evidence suggests that this trial's blogshots could be effective for improving parents' knowledge and expectations about common acute childhood conditions?

Research shows that tools like blogshots can help parents make better health decisions. In this trial, participants will receive different sets of blogshots based on their group assignment. Group A will receive blogshots on sore throat swabs, cough and cold, and asthma, while Group B will receive blogshots on ear infections, bronchiolitis, and antibiotics for sore throat. These blogshots aim to increase awareness and understanding of common childhood conditions, following Choosing Wisely Canada guidelines. Although specific data on the effectiveness of blogshots in this trial is not yet available, similar tools have proven to enhance parents' understanding and communication with doctors. By presenting important information clearly, blogshots can help parents manage expectations and make informed decisions about their child's health. Overall, these tools could improve decision-making and reduce unnecessary doctor visits. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lisa Hartling, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alberta

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06005337

NCT06005337 | Supporting Parents to Choose Wisely The study objective is to assess the effectiveness of blogshots to increase parent awareness, knowledge and expectations with respect to CWC recommendations ...

2. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/mental-health/988/performance-metrics

988 Lifeline Performance Metrics The data below represents the 988 Lifeline performance of the overall national network, which includes data from all 988 Lifeline network centers.

3. adc.bmj.com adc.bmj.com/content/104/10/998

Pathways to inequalities in child health Abstract. From birth, children living in disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances (SECs) suffer from worse health than their more advantaged peers.

4. fcd-us.org fcd-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/NASParenting-Matters.pdf

Parenting Matters: Supporting Parents of Children Ages 0-8 This report, 'Parenting Matters: Supporting Parents of Children Ages 0-8', is a 400-page document by a committee of experts, including findings and ...

5. fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/17/49/38

ESMI-II: The EffectivenesS and cost ... We aim to produce high-quality evidence about which types of Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams are most effective in improving mother and infant outcomes.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468749921000375

The impact of childhood trauma on children's wellbeing ... This article looks at the impact of childhood trauma on children's wellbeing and adult behavior from the perspective of 9 clinical professionals in Ireland.

7. aecf.org aecf.org/resources/2025-kids-count-data-book

2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book Explore the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, with child well-being state-level data in four areas: economic stability, education, health and ...

8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551479/

Creating Healthy Living Conditions for Early Development Creating healthy living conditions to promote optimal development requires a multipronged approach to support caregivers and families.

9. publications.aap.org publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/6/e20183112/37452/Effective-Discipline-to-Raise-Healthy-Children

Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children | Pediatrics The association between corporal punishment and adverse adult health outcomes was examined in a 2017 report that analyzed original data from the 1998 Adverse ...