A multimethods randomized trial found that plain language versions improved parents' understanding of health recommendations
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Grant support
GA3-177732
CIHR - Canada
FRN VR4-172741
CIHR - Canada
REC 183,153
CIHR - Canada
PubMed
37421995
DOI
10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.06.018
PII: S0895-4356(23)00165-8
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- COVID-19, Child health, Guideline, Health recommendations, Knowledge mobilization, Parents, Plain language,
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Language MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Parents * MeSH
- Data Collection MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of plain language compared with standard language versions of COVID-19 recommendations specific to child health. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Pragmatic, allocation-concealed, blinded, superiority randomized controlled trial with nested qualitative component. Trial was conducted online, internationally. Parents or legal guardians (≥18 years) of a child (<18 years) were eligible. Participants were randomized to receive a plain language recommendation (PLR) or standard (SLV) verison of a COVID-19 recommendation specific to child health. Primary outcome was understanding. Secondary outcomes included: preference, accessibility, usability, satisfaction, and intended behavior. Interviews explored perceptions and preferences for each format. RESULTS: Between July and August 2022, 295 parents were randomized; 241 (81.7%) completed the study (intervention n = 121, control n = 120). Mean understanding scores were significantly different between groups (PLR 3.96 [standard deviation (SD) 2.02], SLV 3.33 [SD 1.88], P = 0.014). Overall participants preferred the PLR version: mean rating 5.05/7.00 (95% CI 4.81, 5.29). Interviews (n = 12 parents) highlighted their preference for the PLR and provided insight on elements to enhance future knowledge mobilization of health recommendations. CONCLUSION: Compared to SLVs, parents preferred PLRs and better understood the recommendation. Guideline developers should strive to use plain language to increase understanding, uptake, and implementation of evidence by the public.
Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
Five02 Labs Inc Toronto Ontario Canada; Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance Toronto Ontario Canada
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh India
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
References provided by Crossref.org
ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT05358990