Improving parent participation at pediatric diabetes and sickle cell appointments using a brief intervention

We conducted two separate experiments designed to increase parents' question-asking at pediatric diabetes and sickle cell appointments using a brief intervention. Sixty-two parent-child dyads attending pediatric diabetes appointments and ninety-two parent-child dyads attending sickle cell appointments were included in the study. In experiment 1, parents of pediatric diabetes patients were randomly assigned to either an oral instruction or written instruction condition. Participants in the oral instruction condition were asked by a psychology resident if they had any questions that they planned to ask the pediatrician and encouraged to ask all questions. Participants in the written instruction condition were treated identically to the oral instruction condition participants except that their questions were recorded on 3 x 5 index cards and given to them as reminders. Results showed that parents in the written instruction condition asked more questions than parents in the oral instruction condition. A second experiment was conducted with parents of sickle cell patients to confirm these results. The results of the second experiment were less definitive, and are discussed in relationship to visit characteristics that may account for the differences in results.