A Web-based module and online video for pain management education for caregivers of children with fractures: A randomized controlled trial

The Effectiveness of Pain Science Education on Caregiver and Children's Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pain science education (PSE) can be used as part of treatment and prevention for chronic pain in children. We assessed the effectiveness of PSE on knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in children and the people that care for children. We set a minimum criterion for education to address pain biology knowledge. We included studies aimed at both treatment and prevention of chronic pain. We conducted searches using 5 databases. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis or assessed using a narrative synthesis. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. We screened 14,505 records and included 7 studies involving 351 caregivers and 1,285 children. Four studies were included in meta-analyses. We found low-certainty evidence that PSE has a large beneficial effect on caregiver knowledge and beliefs compared with alternative education (standardized mean difference = 1.14 [95% confidence interval: .88-1.42]; I2 = 0%). We found no difference in functional disability in children with chronic pain after PSE (Functional Disability Inventory score mean difference = .73 [95% confidence interval: -.81 to 2.27; I = 0%]). Narrative syntheses showed low-certainty evidence for improved knowledge and beliefs in children with preventative and treatment effects. Overall, we found few studies, and along with high risk of bias, this significantly contributed to the low certainty of findings. The effect of learning pain science for both preventative and treatment effects in children, carers, and the child/carer dyad remains mostly unknown. This review was prospectively registered with The international Prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42022344382) on July 22, 2022. PERSPECTIVE: This review examines the effect of PSE on pain-related knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in children and the people that care for children (0-18). The findings contribute to knowledge about pain treatments and health promotion for caregivers and their children with and without chronic pain.

Comparative effectiveness of verbal instruction versus video-based education (VIVid) among family caregivers for improving the quality of life in advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving palliative care in Eastern India: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To determine if video-based educational intervention compared to the standard verbal guidelines, provided to caregivers on home-based palliative care could enhance the quality of life (QoL) in advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

METHODS

The study employed a prospective, two-arm parallel-group, randomized controlled trial design. Investigators prepared a real-world demonstrational video of ten minutes duration regarding home-based care for family caregivers, with voice-over in Odia language (Eastern India). The contents of the video addressed the management of common problems in palliative care among HNC patients. This study included 180 participants, 90 patient & caregiver dyads randomized to interventional (video-based education) or control (verbal instruction) groups. Patients' QoL was measured at baseline and 3 weeks follow-up using EORTC QLQ C30. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, T-test, spearman correlation, and multiple hierarchical regression analyses were employed for statistical analysis, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Seventy participant dyads completed the planned two assessments: baseline and at the end of 3rd week (Intervention = 37; Control = 33). The intervention group showed a significant improvement in the patient's health-related QoL, physical, emotional, and social functioning. Symptom burden reduction was observed for pain, nausea, and fatigue. A significant increase in the change in QoL with the video-based education group (VBE) compared to the verbal instruction (VI) group after adjusting for age, gender, physical functioning, and pain symptomology (adjusted R2 = 0.402) was noted.

CONCLUSION

VBE intervention using smart-phone may offer caregivers a viable means of enhancing self-management while improving patients' QoL within the socio-cultural challenges for home-based palliative care in India. Further research on training caregivers using digital interventions and home-based visits is recommended.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CTRI/2021/06/034473 [Registered on: 30/06/2021].

What influences physician opioid prescribing for children with acute pain?

Background

Pain is one of the most common symptoms encountered in the healthcare system, and opioids are among the top three medications used to treat it. Understanding the reasoning behind physicians' opioid prescribing practices is vital to safe practice. The primary objective of our study was to describe pediatric emergency physicians' decision-making process when prescribing opioids for children's acute pain management.

Methods

This study employed qualitative methodology, using one-on-one semi-structured interviews within a grounded theory analytic framework. We employed purposeful sampling to recruit pediatric emergency physicians from across Canada. Interviews were conducted by telephone (December 2019-January 2021). Transcript analysis occurred concurrently with data collection, supporting data saturation and theory development considerations.

Results

Eleven interviews were completed with participants representing each of Canada's geographic regions. Nine major themes emerged: (1) practice setting and outpatient opioid use, (2) condition-specific considerations, (3) physician confidence in medical evidence, (4) pain assessment challenges, (5) patient and family perspectives, (6) opioid safety concerns, (7) personal biases and experiences, (8) personal practice context, and (9) the Opioid Crisis/media influence. Most clinicians felt that they limited opioid use to those who needed it most; all participants described challenges managing acute pain, emphasizing the need for accurate pain measurement and better guidelines, evidence-based data, and knowledge translation. Clinicians were more comfortable treating pain in the emergency department, compared to discharge prescribing. They recognized the importance of co-therapy with non-opioids and the need for opioid risk assessment when prescribing. A family centered approach was recognized as the goal of practice.

Conclusion

Clinicians are less comfortable prescribing opioids to children for at-home use and find pain assessment and lack of clear guidelines to be barriers to pain care. Knowledge translation strategies for safer practice and optimal acute pain management could support responsible and judicious opioid use.

Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Living With a Limb Fracture: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Fractures occur in up to half of children by age 16 years. After initial emergency care for a fracture, function is universally impaired in children, and impacts extend to the immediate family. Knowledge of expected functional limitations is key to providing proper discharge instructions and anticipatory guidance to families.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to understand how changes in functional ability impact youth with fractures.

METHODS

We conducted individual, semistructured interviews from June 2019 to November 2020 with adolescents and their caregivers 7 to 14 days following their initial visit to a pediatric emergency department. We used qualitative content analysis methodology; recruitment proceeded until thematic saturation was achieved. Coding and analysis were concurrent with recruitment and interviews. The interview script was modified in an iterative process, to reflect emerging themes.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine interviews were completed. The most frequently affected functions were (a) showering and hygiene (requiring the most caregiver support), (b) sleep (due to pain and cast-related discomfort), and (c) exclusion from sports/activities. Many adolescents experienced disruptions to social activities and gatherings. Youth valued independence and took more time to complete tasks, regardless of inconvenience. Both adolescents and caregivers reported feelings of frustration from day-to-day impacts of the injury. Generally, caregivers' perspectives were in keeping with the experiences that adolescents described for themselves. Notable family impacts included "sibling burden," or conflicts that arose when a sibling had to take on extra chores/tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, caregivers' perspectives were congruent with the self-described experiences of adolescents. Key messages for optimized discharge instructions include pain and sleep management, allowing extra time to complete tasks independently, considering impact on siblings, preparing for changes in activities and social dynamics, and normalizing frustration. These themes highlight an opportunity to better tailor discharge instructions for adolescents with fractures.

Electronic Discharge Communication Tools Used in Pediatric Emergency Departments: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Electronic discharge communication tools (EDCTs) are increasingly common in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). These tools have been shown to improve patient-centered communication, support postdischarge care at home, and reduce unnecessary return visits to the ED.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to map and assess the evidence base for EDCTs used in pediatric EDs according to their functionalities, intended purpose, implementation context features, and outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) procedures for identification, screening, and eligibility. A total of 7 databases (EBSCO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for studies published between 1989 and 2021. Studies evaluating discharge communication-related outcomes using electronic tools (eg, text messages, videos, and kiosks) in pediatric EDs were included. In all, 2 researchers independently assessed the eligibility. Extracted data related to study identification, methodology, settings and demographics, intervention features, outcome implementation features, and practice, policy, and research implications. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality. The synthesis of results involved structured tabulation, vote counting, recoding into common metrics, inductive thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, and heat mapping.

RESULTS

In total, 231 full-text articles and abstracts were screened for review inclusion with 49 reports (representing 55 unique tools) included. In all, 70% (26/37) of the studies met at least three of five Mixed Method Appraisal Tool criteria. The most common EDCTs were videos, text messages, kiosks, and phone calls. The time required to use the tools ranged from 120 seconds to 80 minutes. The EDCTs were evaluated for numerous presenting conditions (eg, asthma, fracture, head injury, fever, and otitis media) that required a range of at-home care needs after the ED visit. The most frequently measured outcomes were knowledge acquisition, caregiver and patient beliefs and attitudes, and health service use. Unvalidated self-report measures were typically used for measurement. Health care provider satisfaction or system-level impacts were infrequently measured in studies. The directionality of primary outcomes pointed to positive effects for the primary measure (44/55, 80%) or no significant difference (10/55, 18%). Only one study reported negative findings, with an increase in return visits to the ED after receiving the intervention compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This review is the first to map the broad literature of EDCTs used in pediatric EDs. The findings suggest a promising evidence base, demonstrating that EDCTs have been successfully integrated across clinical contexts and deployed via diverse technological modalities. Although caregiver and patient satisfaction with EDCTs is high, future research should use robust trials using consistent measures of communication quality, clinician experience, cost-effectiveness, and health service use to accumulate evidence regarding these outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020157500; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=157500.

Parental Perspectives on Children's Functional Experiences After Limb Fracture: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Fractures are a common childhood injury. Although the pain associated with fractures is well described, the related functional impact is less understood. When a child's function is impaired, his or her ability to participate in day-to-day life is restricted. Eighty percent of children with fractures experience compromise in daily function. An in-depth understanding of function can guide emergency department (ED) providers' discharge instructions.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to report caregivers' perspectives of the functional impact of limb fractures on their children's day-to-day life activities.

METHODS

We performed a qualitative study using interviews of caregivers of children (aged 5 to 11 years) who received care for acute, nonoperative long bone fractures in a pediatric ED. Audio-recorded, semistructured telephone interviews were completed 7 to 14 days after the ED visit. Interviews were primarily open ended, including questions targeting areas of function from existing pediatric fracture literature. Qualitative analysis was completed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-five interviews were included in the final analysis. Most of the children were diagnosed with upper extremity fractures, and most participants were mothers. All parents reported a change in their child's function. The most commonly affected areas were sleep, activities of daily living, and play. Play was either self-limited by the child or restricted by the parent. Pain was worse in the first days after discharge. Many children struggled emotionally with functional limitations. All children required help from their parents to perform daily tasks; this required adaptive strategies such as planning, changes to household routine, and missed work. Key concerns from parents included regression in the child's independence and fracture healing and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Function is universally impaired in young children with fractures, significantly affecting family life after discharge. Discharge conversations with families should include pain management, changes to activities of daily living, family routines and play, and expectations for fracture healing.

Video Discharge Instructions for Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Randomized Controlled Open-label Trial

BACKGROUND

Thirty percent of children with acute otitis media (AOM) experience symptoms < 7 days after initiating treatment, highlighting the importance of comprehensive discharge instructions.

METHODS

We randomized caregivers of children 6 months to 17 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with AOM to discharge instructions using a video on management of pain and fever to a paper handout. The primary outcome was the AOM Severity of Symptom (AOM-SOS) score at 72 hours postdischarge. Secondary outcomes included caregiver knowledge (10-item survey), absenteeism, recidivism, and satisfaction (5-item Likert scale).

RESULTS

A total of 219 caregivers were randomized and 149 completed the 72-hour follow-up (72 paper and 77 video). The median (IQR) AOM-SOS score for the video was significantly lower than paper, even after adjusting for preintervention AOM-SOS score and medication at home (8 [7-11] vs. 10 [7-13], respectively; p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between video and paper in mean (±SD) knowledge score (9.2 [±1.3] vs. 8.8 [±1.8], respectively; p = 0.07), mean (±SD) number of children that returned to a health care provider (8/77 vs. 10/72, respectively; p = 0.49), mean (±SD) number of daycare/school days missed by child (1.2 [±1.5] vs. 1.1 [±2.1], respectively; p = 0.62), mean (±SD) number of workdays missed by caregiver (0.5 [±1] vs. 0.8 [±2], respectively; p = 0.05), or median (IQR) satisfaction score (5 [4-5] vs. 5 [4-5], respectively; p = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Video discharge instructions in the ED are associated with less perceived AOM symptomatology compared to a paper handout.