Educational Effects of Electronic Documents and Videos on Parents' Responses to Acute Illness in Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of electronic document-based and video-based education on parents' responses to acute illness in children under 3 years old, involving 140 participants in Japan. Both educational formats significantly increased self-reported knowledge (p < 0.01), but did not significantly differ in effectiveness or reduce anxiety levels.

Key findings

• Self-reported knowledge scores increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01).
• The video group improved in understanding symptoms requiring attention at home.
• The electronic document group showed improvement in recognizing symptoms needing medical consultation.
• State and trait anxiety levels did not change significantly in either group.

Why it matters

Enhancing parental knowledge about acute illness responses can improve child health outcomes. Understanding the effectiveness of different educational formats can guide future interventions aimed at supporting parents during stressful situations.