An avatar-led, interactive, information programme for children using EpiPen, an auto-injector for anaphylaxis, has shown promising results according to a new study by Cardiff University.
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the usual ‘standard’ face to face EpiPen training versus an interactive video training in children of primary school age. The interactive video was designed to be age appropriate, starring an avatar cat called ‘Fizzmo which was created by health information company, Cognitant.
The study was performed by Emily Balls, a medical student in Cardiff University, under Dr David Tuthill’s supervision. Working in collaboration with Cognitant they created a digital programme using an easy-to-understand accessible video that children could follow on a tablet or smartphone.
Standard teaching of anaphylaxis recognition and treatment is conducted by nurses, who train children face-to-face. With the limitations of Covid-19, the pilot looked at how children could be trained via an interactive video, with the aim that it could be done remotely in the future.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening. It is estimated that up to 1 in 40 children in the UK are suffering from at least one serious allergy. EpiPen is the most commonly prescribed adrenaline auto-injector device in the UK, so age-appropriate clinical education on the use of an EpiPen is vital.
The study included primary school aged children who had never used an EpiPen before. Their competence was assessed following one training session with the pen via five criteria The criteria included being able to identify where to place the EpiPen® on the thigh, using a fist grip around the pen, removing the blue safety cap, using the ‘place and press’ technique and hearing the pen click, and holding the pen in place for three seconds.
This method was tested against current face to face ‘standard’ training. The children who used the interactive video were asked to evaluate it by rating their enjoyment, whether they felt confident in using the EpiPen® and whether they would they like more teaching videos like this.
Results showed a significant improvement in the ‘hold for 3 seconds’ criterion for the interactive video group, with 80% of children recalling this information in comparison to 57% with the standard method (P=0.007). Feedback also showed that the majority of children enjoyed and understood the video, and would like to be taught in this way again in the future. 96% (n=26/27) of children said that they would also want to watch other interactive videos on topics like this.
The results suggested that the pilot interactive video was as effective as the current EpiPen® training programme, which is delivered in person. It is now hoped that this pilot study will be able to support the use of such technology and learning in the future.
Dr David Tuthill, Consultant Paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital for Wales said:
“We are really pleased with the results from this pilot study, as it showed that children can be taught how to use EpiPens®. in a new way. They were also better able to remember to hold their EpiPen on the thigh for longer. We hope in the future that this novel way of delivering care will mean primary school children can be taught remotely about EpiPens®.
“With anaphylaxis on the rise, sufficient child-friendly education into initial treatment for the condition is really needed. Being able to improve how children recall the information they are given is transformational.”
Emily Balls, Medical Student at Cardiff University said:
“This pilot was incredibly insightful for us as we had the opportunity to really explore how children consume health information and whether they would accept a digital delivery method.
“This project shows the innovative methods of technology that can be incorporated into clinical education for children. It demonstrates the importance of accessing resources designed to be understandable and effective. This is imperative for the delivery of safe and innovative education, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic and ‘digitalising’ NHS.”
Dr Tim Ringrose, Chief Executive and co-founder of the Cognitant Group, said:
“Our mission is to help people of all ages and abilities to understand more about their health and to be empowered to manage their health effectively.
“This project is already demonstrating the impact it can have on children and how this technology enables the NHS to provide more support for patients with serious allergies.”
ENDS
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Background
- The pilot study was commissioned by Dr Tuthill with a medical student as part of a research project at Cardiff University for use with patients aged 5-12 at Cardiff and Vale Health Board.
- Cognitant’s mission is to empower people to better understand and manage their health, by giving them the right health information at the right time and in the right format.
- Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and life threatening allergic reaction (Lockey 2019)
- The under 15 population are the most affected in the UK. The amount of children affected by anaphylaxis is increasing annually and so are the prescriptions for auto injector devices (Conrado 2021)
- Between 1998-2018 adrenaline auto injector device prescriptions increased by 336%
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