The development and usability testing of digital knowledge translation tools for parents of children with bronchiolitis

Abstract Bronchiolitis is an acute infection of the lower respiratory tract that predominantly affects children less than two years old. Although self-limiting, symptoms of bronchiolitis can be distressing for young children. Research has demonstrated that parents may not have the necessary information to be able to identify bronchiolitis symptoms, resulting in emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Parents have expressed that they feel unprepared, afraid, and that they lack information on their child’s condition. Digital knowledge translation (KT) tools have the potential to convey complex health information to parents to support their healthcare decision-making needs. We worked with parents of children with bronchiolitis to develop and evaluate three digital tools on bronchiolitis (whiteboard animation video, infographic, and e-Book). Following prototype completion, usability testing was conducted using iPads in two Alberta ED waiting rooms. Parents were randomized to one out of the three tools. Overall, the tools were highly rated, suggesting that arts-based digital tools are useful in delivering complex health information to parents.