Designing A Model for Production of Children's Health Information Content in Radiology Centers: A Case Study

Background: In contemporary healthcare systems, there is a growing emphasis on promoting self-care, patient empowerment, and informed decision-making. The creation of health information content is recognized as a vital tool for enhancing the health literacy of patients. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the components of children's health information in radiology centers to develop a model for producing health information content tailored to their needs. Methods: This qualitative exploratory case study involved 71 participants, including 25 children aged 6 - 14 years, 25 parents of children aged 0 - 14 years, and 23 staff members (radiology technicians and doctors) from the Radiology Department at Children's Medical Center Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data, which were then analyzed using qualitative content analysis and selective-axial coding. Results: The developed model comprised two main dimensions: Health information content and health information format. The dimension of health information content included process information, emotional information, and self-regulating information. The dimension of health information format encompassed various formats such as informational brochures, books, educational animations, applications, and oral explanations. Conclusions: Creating health information content that aligns with children's interests and preferences can enhance their cooperation and participation in radiology examinations.