“The impact of the Little Orange Book on how parents/carers manage symptoms of illness in children: A mixed methods study”

Background Parental decision-making regarding children’s healthcare represents a complex and difficult process. While there is general agreement that information and education may play a key role in supporting self-care and the use of health services, there is potential for information to increase, as well as reduce anxiety. Objectives This article summarises the key recommendations of an applied evaluation of a paediatric health resource, The Little Orange Book. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data regarding parental perceptions on the health resource. Parents and carers in the North-East of England were invited to participate in an online survey and qualitative interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistical analytical methods. Results One-hundred-and-twenty-eight parents completed the online survey and 16 took part in interviews. Three themes were identified within the data: Increasing parental empowerment in managing their child’s health, Equality of Access to Health-based Literature and Barriers and Facilitators to using the Little Orange Book . Conclusions The Little Orange Book has the potential to be a useful form of information to support parents and carers in healthcare decisions. Further development should ensure inclusivity, widen access and view provision of the information as an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with parents.