Grant: Prize - IHDCYH Talks

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on how health information is communicated, how individuals seek health information and services and how these services are delivered. There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of children and families seeking health care, as well as delays in seeking health care. Visiting the emergency department can be scary and overwhelming, especially when you do not know what to expect and you are trying to care for your ill child. Visiting the ED has become even more challenging for families because of the changes to hospital policies as a result of the pandemic. It is important for families to understand essential health information and know when to use healthcare services. This helps parents and families make informed decisions so that their children receive the care they need, when they need it. This video explains what families can expect during a visit to the ED during the pandemic. Our work is directly aligned with IHDCYH’s mission and values with a particular emphasis on collaboration, innovation and public interest (co-developed tool with parents). Our work demonstrates that knowledge translation initiatives that engage parents as partners in health can inform parents’ decision making, shape treatment expectations and shape the utilization of healthcare services. Our video has the potential to yield large dividends for Canadian families needing to access emergency department service through informing and empowering parents with the best available research evidence while optimizing health service utilization.