Petronella Grootens-Wiegers1, Martine C de Vries2, Mara M van Beusekom3, Laura van Dijck3, Jos M van den Broek3. 1. Department of Science Communication & Society, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.grootens@umail.leidenuniv.nl. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Science Communication & Society, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Children involved in medical research often fail to comprehend essential research aspects. In order to improve information provision, a participatory approach was used to develop new information material explaining essential concepts of medical research. METHODS: A draft of a comic strip was developed by a science communicator in collaboration with pediatricians. The draft was presented to children participating in a clinical trial and to two school classes. Children were consulted for further development in surveys and interviews. Subsequently, the material was revised and re-evaluated in four school classes with children of varying ages and educational levels. RESULTS: In the first evaluation, children provided feedback on the storyline, wording and layout. Children thought the comic strip was 'fun' and 'informative'. Understanding of 8 basic research aspects was on average 83% and all above 65%, illustrating that children understood and remembered key messages. CONCLUSION: A comic strip was developed to support the informed consent process. Children were consulted and provided feedback. The resulting material was well understood and accepted. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Involving children in the development of information material can substantially contribute to the quality of the material. Children were excited to participate and to 'be a part of science'.
OBJECTIVE:Children involved in medical research often fail to comprehend essential research aspects. In order to improve information provision, a participatory approach was used to develop new information material explaining essential concepts of medical research. METHODS: A draft of a comic strip was developed by a science communicator in collaboration with pediatricians. The draft was presented to children participating in a clinical trial and to two school classes. Children were consulted for further development in surveys and interviews. Subsequently, the material was revised and re-evaluated in four school classes with children of varying ages and educational levels. RESULTS: In the first evaluation, children provided feedback on the storyline, wording and layout. Children thought the comic strip was 'fun' and 'informative'. Understanding of 8 basic research aspects was on average 83% and all above 65%, illustrating that children understood and remembered key messages. CONCLUSION: A comic strip was developed to support the informed consent process. Children were consulted and provided feedback. The resulting material was well understood and accepted. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Involving children in the development of information material can substantially contribute to the quality of the material. Children were excited to participate and to 'be a part of science'.
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