This study is being done to see if education about medicines directed toward children will improve their knowledge. We also want to know if this knowledge lasts over time. Right now there are few medication instructional cards that are for children. Most of the medication cards provide information for adults. Some studies have shown that by teaching children directly, the child may take medicine at the right time for the right reason, have fewer side effects and know more about their medicine.

The purpose of this research study is to see if education about medication helps children learn more about their medicine and if this knowledge lasts.

Condition	Intervention
Hemophilia Sickle Cell Disease Neoplasm Blood Coagulation Disorders	Behavior: Medication Education for children

Further Study Details: 

Primary Outcomes: 1.Develop medication cards appropriate for children; 2.Develop a posttest to determine the effectiveness; 3.Obtain data to support teaching children about medication
Secondary Outcomes: 1.Assess the clinical implications of this research
Expected Total Enrollment:  50

In 2004, then Surgeon General Carmona stated that a health literate individual is more apt to know the answer, when asked how to keep themselves well (AHRQ, 2004). There is a burgeoning movement among medical professionals to address heath literacy. Teaching health information to children will empower them to actively participate in their current care and provide self-management skills they will assist them to keep themselves well throughout their lives. Currently, few medication administration instructional cards exist that are appropriate for children. Providing medication information that the child might understand may result in better administration compliance, fewer adverse effects and develop an individual that is knowledgeable regarding medications and appropriate administration. The purpose if this research is to develop medication administration cards, appropriate for children, which provide information on the most commonly used drugs among the Hematology/Oncology population.

The overall objective if this research is to develop medication informational cards for medications frequently used within the Hematology/Oncology pediatric population, and evaluate the effectiveness of these cards, by means of a pre- and post – test.

Ages Eligible for Study:  7 Years   -   11 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 7 – 11 yrs
• Currently receiving disease management primarily coordinated through the Hematology/Oncology section
• Receiving a medication identified as a variable for this study
• Are able to assent and have a parent/guardian who is willing to consent to study participation
• Suffer no apparent developmental difficulty that would prevent or make difficult study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who cannot read or write English
• Individuals who are known to be non-compliant with medication routine and/or adhering to follow-up visits.

Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier  NCT00127543

Heather E Curry, RN, MSN      816-234-3265    hcurry@cmh.edu
Peggy A Ward-Smith, RN, PhD      816-235-5960    wardsmithp@umkc.edu

Missouri
      Childrens Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City,  Missouri,  64108,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

Heather E Curry, RN, MSN,  Principal Investigator,  Childrens Mercy Hospitals and Clinics   

Study ID Numbers:  05 06-089E
Last Updated:  August 5, 2005
Record first received:  August 5, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00127543
Health Authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-08-23