Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Anaphylaxis Management Through a Video-Based Educational Tool

Abstract

To develop and test the effectiveness of an education tool to help pediatric patients and their families better understand anaphylaxis and its management, and to improve current knowledge and treatment guidelines adherence. From June 2019 to July 2020, 111 pediatric patients with history of food-triggered anaphylaxis who presented to our center were recruited. Consenting families were asked to complete 6 questions related to the triggers, recognition and management of anaphylaxis at the time of presentation to the clinic. Participants were then shown a 5-minute animated video addressing the main knowledge gaps related to the causes, presentation and management of anaphylaxis. At the end of the video, participants were redirected to the same 6 questions to respond again. The scores were recorded in percentage of correct answers (minimum 0.0; maximum 1.0). The mean age of the patients was 5.7 ± 4.5 years (range: 0.5-17.9 years). The majority were males (61 patients; 55.0%). The mean baseline pre-video education score was 0.77 ± 0.16 (range: 0.3-1.0), while the mean follow-up score was 0.81 ± 0.17 (range: 0.3-1.0). This score difference of 0.04 was statistically significant (p=0.001). There were no significant associations between change in scores and age or sex of the participants. Our video teaching method was successful in educating patients and their families to better understand anaphylaxis and its management at the moment of the clinical encounter. The test will be repeated at a 1-year interval to determine their retention of knowledge.