Douglas P Mack1, Gary A Foster2, Lauren M Bouwers3, Mariam A Hanna2. 1. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Electronic address: dougpmack@gmail.com. 2. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. 3. Halton Pediatric Allergy, Burlington, Ontario.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food has expanding in North America. Families are interested in this therapeutic approach however misconceptions are common and education of these families is essential prior to obtaining informed consent. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of a counselling video and checklist to improve parent and patient knowledge about OIT. METHODS: This retrospective review was conducted in a pediatric outpatient clinic. After consultation and review of information package, 467 parents and patients (>12-yearold) performed pre- and post-tests in conjunction with a counselling video during a checklist-based 2-hour counselling session for OIT. RESULTS: Evaluation of pre- and post-test performance suggested an improvement in the ability of patients to answer relevant questions pertaining to OIT. This was statistically significant for all groups including mothers, fathers and children (p<0.0001). Mothers performed better than fathers and patients in mean number of correct responses in both pre- and post-test scores and in post-test scores after adjustment for pre-test scores. Fathers performed better than patients in both pre- and post-test scores but not on post-test scores after adjustment for pre-test scores. A checklist-based format resulted in 100 percent of all major topics being discussed in a 1-hour discussion. Reported satisfaction was high amongst participants. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the use of a counselling video in conjunction with pre/post-testing to educate families about the key principles of OIT. We suggest that as part of extensive counselling for OIT that an educational video is beneficial in a pediatric outpatient clinic.
BACKGROUND: The use of Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food has expanding in North America. Families are interested in this therapeutic approach however misconceptions are common and education of these families is essential prior to obtaining informed consent. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of a counselling video and checklist to improve parent and patient knowledge about OIT. METHODS: This retrospective review was conducted in a pediatric outpatient clinic. After consultation and review of information package, 467 parents and patients (>12-yearold) performed pre- and post-tests in conjunction with a counselling video during a checklist-based 2-hour counselling session for OIT. RESULTS: Evaluation of pre- and post-test performance suggested an improvement in the ability of patients to answer relevant questions pertaining to OIT. This was statistically significant for all groups including mothers, fathers and children (p<0.0001). Mothers performed better than fathers and patients in mean number of correct responses in both pre- and post-test scores and in post-test scores after adjustment for pre-test scores. Fathers performed better than patients in both pre- and post-test scores but not on post-test scores after adjustment for pre-test scores. A checklist-based format resulted in 100 percent of all major topics being discussed in a 1-hour discussion. Reported satisfaction was high amongst participants. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the use of a counselling video in conjunction with pre/post-testing to educate families about the key principles of OIT. We suggest that as part of extensive counselling for OIT that an educational video is beneficial in a pediatric outpatient clinic.