~126 spots leftby Mar 2026

Digital Storytelling for Flu Vaccination in Children

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+1 other location
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Denver Health and Hospital Authority
Disqualifiers: Non-English speaking caregivers
No Placebo Group
Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted health disparities, Black children have unduly suffered and died from seasonal influenza for decades. Through sustained partnership with Black community stakeholders, novel community-engaged research methods, and an innovative intervention approach, this proposal will explore, develop, and test a Digital Storytelling intervention to reduce influenza vaccination disparities in Black children aged 6 months to 5 years. This project will advance our understanding of engagement methods and interventions that improve health equity and serve as a model for future work to address vaccination disparities, ensuring all individuals have the chance to fulfill their potential free of preventable diseases.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Digital Storytelling for Flu Vaccination in Children?

Research shows that digital storytelling can be a powerful tool in healthcare, helping to educate and engage both patients and healthcare providers. It has been used effectively to improve understanding and empathy in various settings, such as nursing education and oncology care, suggesting it could also be beneficial in promoting flu vaccination in children.

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Is digital storytelling for flu vaccination in children safe?

The research does not provide specific safety data for digital storytelling interventions, but it discusses the use of mobile apps for reporting adverse events after flu vaccinations, suggesting that such digital tools are generally accepted and can help monitor vaccine safety.

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How is the Digital Storytelling treatment for flu vaccination in children different from other treatments?

Digital Storytelling is unique because it uses personal stories combined with digital media to make health messages more relatable and memorable, which can be more effective than traditional factual information in encouraging vaccination.

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Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Black children aged 6 months to 5 years. The goal is to explore and test a new way of encouraging flu vaccinations through digital storytelling, aiming to reduce the gap in vaccination rates.

Inclusion Criteria

Caregivers of a child who is empaneled at Denver Health (e.g. had 1 well child visit in last 18 months)
Child has no medical contraindications to vaccination (e.g., severe allergy to one of the vaccine ingredients, history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome)
My child will be between 6 months and 5 years old during the flu season of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

Caregivers whose first language is not English

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

5 months
In-person recruitment in clinic waiting rooms

Intervention

Caregivers receive a series of 6 monthly texts with embedded digital stories and accompanying health messaging

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for child influenza vaccination status and caregivers' perceptions of intervention feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness

6 months

Participant Groups

The study is testing whether using digital stories can help increase flu vaccination rates among young Black children. It's an innovative approach that involves community engagement and could serve as a model for addressing similar health disparities.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Digital storytelling groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Caregivers will receive a series of digital stories by text message designed to increase influenza vaccine confidence.
Group II: Control groupActive Control1 Intervention
Caregivers will receive standard care.

Digital Storytelling is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Digital Storytelling Intervention for:
  • Reducing pediatric influenza vaccination disparities in Black children aged 6 months to 5 years

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Denver Health Eastside ClinicDenver, CO
Denver Health Park Hill ClinicDenver, CO
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Denver Health and Hospital AuthorityLead Sponsor

References

An Educational Intervention Incorporating Digital Storytelling to Implement Family Nursing Practice in Acute Care Settings. [2021]This project describes implementation of an educational intervention designed to initiate practice changes that support families and nurses during acute illness. An academic-practice partnership and digital storytelling methodology provided a foundation. A quasi-experimental research design included quantitative and qualitative measurement before and after the educational intervention. Themes identified in digital stories of nurse experiences caring for families provided direction for the educational intervention including the digital stories, empirical evidence, and proposed changes in nursing practice focused on families. Nurse participants (n = 160) in the educational intervention reported positive responses on a qualitative questionnaire. Comparing pretest and posttest results of the Family Nurse Practice Scale reflected positive, though not significant change. Family members (n = 49) reported significantly improved perceptions of support on 7 of the 14 items on the Iceland Perceived Family Support Questionnaire. This project highlighted digital storytelling's power to promote family interventions and move family nursing knowledge into practice.
"Stories Take Your Role Away From You": Understanding the Impact on Health Care Professionals of Viewing Digital Stories of Pediatric and Adolescent/Young Adult Oncology Patients. [2018]The purpose of this philosophical hermeneutic study was to understand the effects on health care providers (HCPs) of watching digital stories made by (past and present) pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) oncology patients. Twelve HCPs participated in a focus group where they watched digital stories made by pediatric/AYA oncology patients and participated in a discussion related to the impact the stories had on them personally and professionally. Findings from this research revealed that HCPs found digital stories to be powerful, therapeutic, and educational tools. Health care providers described uses for digital stories ranging from education of newly diagnosed families to training of new staff. Digital stories, we conclude, can be an efficient and effective way through which to understand the patient experience, implications from which can range from more efficient patient care delivery to decision making. Recommendations for incorporating digital storytelling into healthcare delivery are offered.
Storytelling as a communication tool for health consumers: development of an intervention for parents of children with croup. Stories to communicate health information. [2021]Stories may be an effective tool to communicate with and influence patients because of their ability to engage the reader. The objective of this paper is to describe the development of a story-based intervention for delivery of health evidence to parents of children with croup for use in a randomized controlled trial.
Reducing Digital Storytelling Implementation Barriers in Nursing Education Workshops. [2020]Digital stories have the potential to transform health care systems by cultivating understanding and compassion; however, limited research explores the use of this innovative strategy in continuing education. This article describes how a collaborative partnership of an Academic Team and Translational Partners (n = 15) implemented a four-phase study that included a continuing education workshop with digital stories as the central strategy. The study's guiding questions focused on adapting approaches to creating digital stories to reduce logistic concerns and overcome implementation challenges yet empower nurses in their practice with families. Numerical and narrative responses from workshop participant evaluations (n = 160) affirmed storytelling as the most valuable component, and reflection increased understandings to influence their thinking and actions. This study affirms using digital stories as an implementation strategy in health care systems has the potential to transform nursing education, supports the transfer of family nursing practice knowledge, encourages reflection, and develops empathy for families and nurse peers. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(9):411-416.].
Stories That Heal: Understanding the Effects of Creating Digital Stories With Pediatric and Adolescent/Young Adult Oncology Patients. [2018]The purpose of this philosophical hermeneutic study was to determine if, and understand how, digital stories might be effective therapeutic tools to use with children and adolescents/young adults (AYA) with cancer, thus helping mitigate suffering. Sixteen participants made digital stories with the help of a research assistant trained in digital storytelling and were interviewed following the completion of their stories. Findings from this research revealed that digital stories were a way to have others understand their experiences of cancer, allowed for further healing from their sometimes traumatic experiences, had unexpected therapeutic effects, and were a way to reconcile past experiences with current life. Digital stories, we conclude, show great promise with the pediatric and AYA oncology community and we believe are a way in which the psychosocial effects of cancer treatment may be addressed. Recommendations for incorporating digital stories into clinical practice and follow-up programs are offered.
Knowledge and Perceptions of Adverse Events Following Immunization among Healthcare Professionals in Africa: A Case Study from Ghana. [2020]The spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse events following immunization (AEFI) by healthcare professionals (HCPs) is vital in monitoring post-licensure vaccine safety. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of AEFIs among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Africa, using the situation in Ghana as a case study. The study was of a cross-sectional quantitative design, and was carried out from 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2017 with doctors, pharmacists, and nurses as the study participants. A 28-item paper-based questionnaire, delivered by hand to study participants, was the data collection tool in the study. The study was conducted in 4 hospitals after ethical approval was granted. The desired sample size was 686; however, 453 consented to partake in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS (software version 22, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA), and chi-square and binary logistic regression tests were used for tests of association between HCPs' characteristics and their knowledge and perceptions. Detailed knowledge of AEFIs was ascertained with a set of 9 questions, with 8 or 9 correctly answered questions signifying high knowledge, 5 to 7 correctly answered questions signifying moderate knowledge, and below 5 correctly answered questions signifying low knowledge. A set of 10 questions also ascertained HCPs' positive and negative perceptions of AEFI. Results revealed that knowledge of AEFIs was high in 49 (10.8%) participants, moderate in 213 (47.0%) participants, and low in 191 (42.2%) participants. There was no statistically significant correlation between AEFI knowledge and professions. The highest negative perception was the lack of desire to learn more about how to diagnose, report, investigate, and manage AEFI, whereas the lowest was the lack of belief that surveillance improves public trust in immunization programs. There was a general awareness of AEFIs among HCPs in this study. However, negative perceptions and the lack of highly knowledgeable HCPs regarding AEFIs were possible setbacks to AEFI diagnosis, management, prevention, and reporting. More training and sensitization of HCPs on AEFIs and vaccine safety will be beneficial in improving the situation. Future research should focus on assessing the training materials and methodology used in informing HCPs about AEFIs and vaccine safety.
User preferences for a mobile application to report adverse events following vaccination. [2020]The passive surveillance system is an important tool in pharmacovigilance of vaccines. However, reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) post-marketing has limitations regarding under-reporting, biased reports and lack of exposure data resulting in imprecise estimates. New mobile application technology may provide an opportunity for an enhanced surveillance. A pre-requisite for the use of new app-based technology is to identify practical challenges and end users' preferences for design of app-features. The objectives were (i) to investigate the recruitment and feasibility of an app-based study in Germany, (ii) to assess individuals' motivation to participate in such a study and (iii) to identify app-features for reporting AEFI. We conducted a cross-sectional study among employees of a financial institution who attended the occupational health office during the seasonal influenza vaccination in November 2017. Participants tested feasibility and assessed an app prototype for AEFI reporting by using a case vignette and a questionnaire. Of the 153 attending employees, 65 (42%) agreed to participate and returned the questionnaire. Twenty-three (63%) rated the experience of reporting AEFI with the app prototype to be positive. Among three features offered for gamification, collecting points was most frequently chosen (n=22, 34%). The main reason for declining participation was the apprehension about data protection (n=28, 43%). Results suggest that the app-based technology was well accepted and is a suitable supplement for AEFI reporting and in our study. A convincing data protection concept is likely to enhance acceptability of such a system.
Postmarketing Safety Monitoring After Influenza Vaccination Using a Mobile Health App: Prospective Longitudinal Feasibility Study. [2021]For the safety monitoring of vaccinations postlicensure, reports of adverse events after immunization (AEFIs) are crucial. New technologies such as digital mobile apps can be used as an active approach to capture these events. We therefore conducted a feasibility study among recipients of the influenza vaccination using an app for assessment of the reporting of AEFIs.
An evaluation of the feasibility and usability of a proof of concept mobile app for adverse event reporting post influenza vaccination. [2022]The Canadian National Vaccine Safety network (CANVAS) gathers and analyzes safety data on individuals receiving the influenza vaccine during the early stages of annual influenza vaccination campaigns with data collected via participant surveys through the Internet. We sought to examine whether it was feasible to use a mobile application (app) to facilitate AEFI reporting for the CANVAS network. To explore this, we developed a novel smartphone app, recruited participants from a hospital influenza immunization clinic and by word of mouth and instructed them to download and utilize the app. The app reminded participants to complete the CANVAS AEFI surveillance surveys ("AEFI surveys") on day 8 and 30, a survey capturing app usability metrics at day 30 ("usability survey") and provided a mechanism to report AEFI events spontaneously throughout the whole study period. All survey results and spontaneous reports were recorded on a privacy compliant, cloud server. A software plug-in, Lookback, was used to record the on-screen experience of the app sessions. Of the 76 participants who consented to participate, 48(63%) successfully downloaded the app and created a profile. In total, 38 unique participants completed all of the required surveillance surveys; transmitting 1104 data points (survey question responses and spontaneous reports) from 83 completed surveys, including 21 usability surveys and one spontaneous report. In total, we received information on new or worsening health conditions after receiving the influenza vaccine from 11(28%) participants. Of the usability survey responses, 86% agreed or strongly agreed that they would prefer to use a mobile app based reporting system instead of a web-based system. The single spontaneous report received was from a participant who had also reported using the Day 8 survey. Of Lookback observable sessions, an accurate transmission proportion of 100% (n=290) was reported for data points. We demonstrated that a mobile app can be used for AEFI reporting, although download and survey completion proportions suggest potential barriers to adoption. Future studies should examine implementation of mobile reporting in a broader audience and impact on the quality of reporting of adverse events following immunization.
Assessing vaccine safety communication with healthcare providers in a large urban county. [2015]Vaccination is the primary public health tool for influenza control. Rapid assessment of the safety of any widely disseminated pandemic influenza vaccine is a public health priority. This study identifies practices, strengths, and weaknesses of vaccine-associated adverse event (AE) reporting to inform public health systems improvement.
Developing a Culturally and Linguistically Congruent Digital Storytelling Intervention in Vietnamese and Korean American Mothers of Human Papillomavirus-Vaccinated Children: Feasibility and Acceptability Study. [2023]The high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden attributed to cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) call for researchers to address this public health concern through HPV vaccination. Disparities of HPV-associated cancers in Vietnamese and Korean Americans exist, yet their vaccination rates remain low. Evidence points to the importance of developing culturally and linguistically congruent interventions to improve their HPV vaccination rates. We adopted digital storytelling (DST) that combines oral storytelling with computer-based technology (digital images, audio recording, and music) as a promising approach for facilitating the communication of culturally relevant health messages.
Intervention studies to encourage vaccination using narrative: a systematic scoping review protocol. [2022]Vaccine hesitancy is a global problem, impeding uptake of vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella and those against human papillomavirus and COVID-19. Effective communication strategy is needed to address vaccine hesitancy. To guide the development of research in the field and the development of effective strategies for vaccine communication, this scoping review aims to analyse studies of interventions using narrative to encourage vaccination.
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Exploring parents' views of the use of narratives to promote childhood vaccination online. [2023]Negative information about vaccines that spreads online may contribute to parents' vaccine hesitancy or refusal. Studies have shown that false claims about vaccines that use emotive personal narratives are more likely to be shared and engaged with on social media than factual evidence-based public health messages. The aim of this study was to explore parents' views regarding the use of positive narratives to promote childhood vaccination.
Using human-centred design to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children and youth: a protocol for a mixed-methods study in Montreal, Canada. [2022]To successfully combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increase uptake, research has demonstrated that interventions are most effective when tailored to meet local needs through active engagement and co-development with communities. This mixed-methods project uses a human-centred design (HCD) approach to understand local perspectives of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and develop strategies to enhance vaccine confidence for children and adolescents.
15.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Telling stories of vaccine-preventable diseases: why it works. [2013]In this paper, we explore the benefits of storytelling in health communication and, in particular, immunization education. During the mid-20th century polio epidemic, both personal stories and scientific information abounded in the media. However, as rates of vaccine-preventable diseases declined, narratives about the dangers of such diseases faded as did the public fear of them. Meanwhile, anti-vaccine advocates flooded the media and Internet with stories of injured children and tied those injuries, such as autism, to vaccines. Medical experts often counter anti-vaccine concerns with scientific information which can fail to persuade parents. Furthermore, evidence suggests that many people misunderstand quantitative information resulting in a misinterpretation of risk. Compared to scientific information, stories relate life lessons and values. They are effective because they are memorable and relatable. Evidence also suggests that storytelling can effectively improve health knowledge and behaviors. Inspired by In Harm's Way--True Stories of Uninsured Texas Children by the Children's Defense Fund and Faces of Influenza by the American Lung Association, we published Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story, a collection of photographs and personal stories of families affected by vaccine-preventable diseases. We have found that the stories included in our booklet capture all the benefits of storytelling. Given the many benefits of storytelling, providers should strive to include stories along with medical facts in their daily practice.