Clinical Trial: Study of the Impact of Parental Note Taking on the Effectiveness of Anticipatory Guidance

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of The Impact of Parental Note Taking on the Effectiveness of Anticipatory Guidance: the Suzuki Music Model Applied to Urban Pediatrics

Brief Summary:

The delivery of anticipatory guidance is an essential component of pediatric practice. Given the large amount of information to be shared during each encounter and the limited time available, there is a need for an effective and efficient means of communication between health care providers and families. The investigators hypothesize that more active parental participation in the form of note taking during the delivery of anticipatory guidance will lead to increased knowledge, higher levels of satisfaction with the encounter, and increased adoption of recommended parenting practices.

In this study, the investigators propose a randomized controlled trial of the impact of note taking during the delivery of newborn anticipatory guidance on maternal practices related to newborn care. The investigators plan to compare a control group of mothers receiving standard of care anticipatory guidance with an intervention group of mothers who are encouraged to take written notes while receiving the anticipatory guidance. The primary outcome of interest is maternal practice related to infant sleep position, and the secondary outcomes of interest are maternal practice related to breastfeeding initiation and car seat use. The investigators also plan to evaluate the impact of note taking on mothers' knowledge of recommended practices related to newborn care and on mothers' satisfaction with the guidance received.


Detailed Summary:

The importance of communicating effectively with families and children is not unique to medicine. In the field of child music education, research has shown that effective parental involvement is linked to musical achievement [1]. The Suzuki method of music education in particular emphasizes this involvement and regards an effective teacher-child-parent relationship as fundamental to learning [2]. Parental engagement both during the music lesion and at home is key, and parents are routinely encouraged to take notes during the lesson so they can accurately recall the instruction for practice at home [1]. The Suzuki method is based on the idea that this model of education can be used with any family in any environment [3]. We are interested to learn whether a similar approach can be applied to pediatric anticipatory guidance in an urban population.

Note taking has been shown to improve both memory and comprehension in a number of settings. In a study of memory aids, participants taking notes exhibited higher levels of accurate recall of information than participants using other techniques [4]. Another study demonstrated that participants who took notes and then had the notes to review had improved recall of information when compared to participants who were given written information to study but did not take notes themselves [5]. Even doodling has been shown to lead to improved memory and to aid with concentration [6]. Interestingly, patient or family note taking for retention of medical information has not been extensively studied.

A number of studies have been done to look at interventions to improve both the delivery of health information and the retention of the information provided. Randomized controlled trials have looked at the impact of specific training programs for providers [7] and at practice-wide changes in offic
Sponsor: Boston Medical Center

Current Primary Outcome: The Primary Outcome of Interest is Maternal Practice Related to Supine Infant Sleep Position. [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]

This measure assesses maternal report of placing the infant on the back to sleep (supine sleep position) as opposed to putting the infant on its side or stomach.


Original Primary Outcome: The primary outcome of interest is maternal practice related to infant sleep position. [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Maternal Practice Related to Breastfeeding Initiation [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]
    This measure assesses maternal report of breastfeeding. The number analyzed is the number who reported any breastfeeding.
  • Maternal Practice Related to Correct Car Seat Use [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]
    Correct car seat use by all subjects who use cars was defined as placing the car seat in the back seat facing backwards and using the car seat every time the infant travels by car. The number reported is the number who report using the car seat correctly.


Original Secondary Outcome:

  • Maternal Practice Related to Breastfeeding Initiation [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]
  • Maternal practice related to car seat use [ Time Frame: two days after discharge ]


Information By: Boston Medical Center

Dates:
Date Received: November 13, 2009
Date Started: December 2009
Date Completion:
Last Updated: September 20, 2012
Last Verified: September 2012