Pilot testing “Teach Ted”: A digital application for children undergoing blood tests and their parents

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this pilot study, we evaluated the acceptability and preliminary evidence of the impact of a new educational mobile application, “Teach Ted”, for children undergoing blood tests. MethodsParents of children (4–10 years) completed questionnaires on anxiety and pain before their child had a blood test, and after using Teach Ted and receiving their blood test. Health professionals at each patient's blood test (e.g. technician/nurse) completed questionnaires on patient outcomes and procedure-related outcomes (e.g. time taken). ResultsNine parents and eight health professionals participated. All but one parent (n = 8/9) reported Teach Ted was useful. Seventy-eight percent (n = 7/9) reported they would use Teach Ted again. All health professionals who completed the acceptability measure (n = 3/3) strongly agreed that Teach Ted was relevant/helpful. Many parents perceived Teach Ted helped reduce their/child's anxiety (n = 3/5, 60% and n = 4/6, 67% respectively), although child's pain and child's/parent's anxiety remained similar before and after using Teach Ted (all p > 0.05). The average blood test duration was 7.6 min (range ≤1 to 22), which health professionals (n = 3/3) reported was not elongated by offering Teach Ted. ConclusionsParticipants reported that Teach Ted was acceptable. Further evaluation of Teach Ted's impact on patient's outcomes are needed. InnovationTeach Ted is an innovative mobile application with potential to educate young children about their upcoming procedure and mitigate negative outcomes.