The development and usability testing of six arts-based knowledge translation tools for parents about COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. This novel disease impacted how health information was communicated as information on both the disease itself and on public health guidelines changed rapidly. The purpose of this research was to create knowledge translation (KT) tools about COVID-19 to increase public confidence in science and to encourage vaccine uptake and maintenance of public health measures. Our goal was to develop, evaluate and disseminate innovative KT tools to increase awareness, knowledge and uptake of evidence about COVID-19 among parents and families. The project had two main sources of data collection: 1) qualitative semi-structured interviews with 27 parents whose children had COVID-19 between May 2020 and April 2022 and 2) focus group discussions with 67 parents between October and December 2021 to understand their experiences and information needs related to COVID-19 public health measures, including vaccination, mask wearing, social distancing, and other public health measures. Based on the qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews of parents whose children had COVID-19, we developed two KT tool prototypes: a video and an interactive infographic addressing the management of a child with COVID-19. The qualitative findings from focus groups were used to develop 4 KT tool prototypes on 2 topics: COVID-19 vaccines for children and navigating a child’s social world during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Usability testing of all 6 KT tools was completed by parents from our established networks. The tools were revised based on usability results, and final versions of the tools were made publicly available on our website (echokt.ca) in November 2022. We further disseminated the resources through our social media channels and other established stakeholder networks. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This work was funded by: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Scott, S.D., Hartling, L., Elliott, S.A. & Knisley, L (2021) Overcoming emergency COVID-19 challenges with relatable science: developing and evaluating knowledge tools for Canadians ($272, 470). July 2021 to March 2024. AND Scott, S.D. (co-PI) & Hartling, L. (co-PI), Ali, S., Currie, G., Dyson, M., Fernandes, R., Fleck, B., Freedman, S., Jabbour, M., Johnson, D., Junker, A., Klassen, T., Maynard, D., Newton, A., Plint, A., Richer, L., Robinson, J., Robson, K., Vandall-Walker, V. [all collaborators listed in alphabetical order]. (2016) Integrating evidence and parent engagement to optimize childrens healthcare. CIHR Foundation Scheme ($2,500,000). July 2016 to March 2027. Hartling, L. & Scott, S.D (2018). Distinguished Research Funding. Stollery Childrens Hospital Foundation and the Women and Childrens Health Research Institute ($1,000,000), September 2018 to January 2025. Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Research ethics approval was obtained from the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board (Edmonton, AB) [Pro0062904]. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors