Buckle me up! A randomized controlled trial using a tablet-based emergency department intervention for child car safety education (BMJ)

Correct child car restraint use significantly reduces risk of death and serious injury in motor vehicle crashes, but millions of U.S. children ride with improper restraints. We created a tablet-based car restraint educational intervention using Computer Intervention Authoring Software (CIAS) and examined its impact on knowledge and behaviors among parents in the pediatric emergency department (PED).

This was a non-blinded, randomized controlled trial of parents of PED patients ages 0–12 years. Participants were evaluated for baseline car restraint knowledge and behavior. The intervention group completed an interactive tablet-based module, while the control group received printed handouts on car restraint safety. After one week, both groups received a follow-up survey assessing changes in car restraint knowledge and behavior. Logistic regressions determined predictors of knowledge retention and behavioural changes. Parents in the CIAS group were also surveyed on program acceptability.

In conclusion, parents had overall high levels of car restraint knowledge. Using CIAS led to positive behavioral changes regarding child car restraint safety, with the vast majority reporting positive attitudes towards CIAS. This novel, interactive, tablet-based tool is a useful PED intervention for behavioral change in parents.

To read the full study, visit the BMJ Publishing Group website.