Introduction: Understanding caregiver willingness to participate in pediatric clinical research is needed. We examined caregiver perceptions of pediatric clinical research during COVID-19 and examined research attitudes and sociodemographic factors as predictors of willingness.
Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to caregivers of children from August 2020 to April 2021. We examined caregiver willingness to participate in the following research modalities during COVID-19: telehealth, in-person, and vaccine-focused.
Results: Participants included 600 caregivers (52.8% non-Hispanic White; Child Age M = 9.3 years; 50.0% from rural areas). Caregivers reported more willingness to participate in nonvaccine research (64.0% telehealth, 59.4% face-to-face) compared to vaccine research (22.1%). Different predictors were found for caregivers living in rural and nonrural areas and specific research attitudes predicted willingness.
Discussion: Caregiver willingness to participate in pediatric clinical research during COVID-19 differed by modality and research attitudes predicting willingness differed by geography. Surveillance regarding pediatric vaccine and clinical research hesitancy broadly should continue.
Background: Uncontrolled pediatric asthma leads to poorer outcomes; school-based telehealth (SBTH) is an opportunity to intervene.
Local problem: The connection rate to primary care after SBTH visits for asthma exacerbations was below organizational goals. Additionally, there was a gap in assessing SBTH's role in providing access to rescue medication.
Method: A 3-month plan-do-study-act design was used to improve SBTH referral rates among SBTH providers. Data was collected via EHR reports and chart reviews.
Interventions: SBTH providers were trained to complete a 3-question checklist on referral orders for all patients treated for an asthma exacerbation.
Results: Chi-square analysis showed a statistically significant increase (p < .001) in the "Connect to PCP" rate, 21% to 71%. Additionally, 86% of eligible participants had access to rescue medication at school, with one-third requiring SBTH to bridge a gap.
Conclusions: PCP connection can be increased; however, automation is needed for sustainability. Additionally, SBTH may increase access to asthma medication.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory tract infection that causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and children. It is the leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the United States. Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody recommended for the prevention of severe disease in all infants under 8 months of age and certain high-risk toddlers. Recent data demonstrate a 90% protection against hospitalization from severe RSV disease for infants who received nirsevimab in their first RSV season. Providers should understand the mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and prescribing recommendations for nirsevimab, especially when confronted with caregivers who are hesitant about medications and vaccines. Special circumstances may require nuanced prescribing of nirsevimab to safely provide optimal protection. In these circumstances, and during drug shortages, a lens of health equity should be used to protect the highest risk populations.