LázBarát™ (FeverFriend™) Projekt: Attitude Toward Fever and Its Change in the Healthcare System
- Conditions
- FeverBacterial InfectionsOverdose of Analgesic DrugHelp-Seeking BehaviorAnxietyVirus Diseases
- Interventions
- Device: FeverFriend mobile application
- Registration Number
- NCT04633603
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Pecs
- Brief Summary
The positive effects of fever are supported by a number of physiological, pathophysiological and clinical evidence. However, the negative attitude toward fever is widespread and have become persistent. According to sociological research, this is based on two main factors: comfort and fear. To change this negative attitude, awareness needs to be raised and the attitude toward fever among health care workers and the lay public needs to be reframed positively. Furthermore, the role of media users is essential, especially among the young generation.
The current Hungarian recommendation/protocol is valid since 2011 (Professional protocol of the Ministry of National Resources: Caring for a child with fever, the recommendation of the College of Pediatric and Pediatric However, the practical implementation among health professionals and the laity public is low.
Based on this protocol and current international guidelines (NICE) clinicians developed a protocol and register, where parents and caregivers can document the symptoms and runoff of fever as well as receive feedback on severity and appropriate management.
The project aims to increase the evidence-based (EBM) guideline adherence, to reduce the unnecessary use of antipyretics and antibiotics, as well as the load on the current healthcare system. The documentation of the collected data allows the investigators to map and analyze (stats) socio-demographic behavior both on individual and societal level.
- Detailed Description
Goal:
Reframing the negative attitude toward fever. Reducing unnecessary use of drugs (antipyretics and antibiotics) as well as lower the number of medical consultations. In order, the investigators will use a media-based mobile application and a web knowledge base. Languages English and Hungarian.
Hypotheses:
1. The mobile application and knowledge base increases health literacy of parents and professionals.
2. The application will change the uncertain and/or negative attitude toward fever.
3. The positive change in attitude will influence antipyretic and consecutive antibiotic use, lower medical provider contact, enhancing the practical implementation of guidelines.
Method:
Noninvasive, noninterventional, self-reported, observational, prospective cohort study under real-life conditions.
Data: provided by caregivers and/or patients are grouped and classified based on the severity of the disease behind the fever.
Data analysis:
Analysis sample size calculation: To analyze guideline-adherent and non-adherent behavior at a 95% binomial confidence interval with an accuracy of +/- 2%, at least 500 fever phases are required if the smaller group comprises 5%. The investigators a-priory estimation based on surveys is that only about 15% of caretakers have a guideline-conforming approach to the management of fever, hence 1,500 fever events are needed for the planned accuracy. If adherent and non-adherent groups are approximately the same size, a maximum of ca. 2,500 fever phases are required.
The exact incidence of fever per age group is not yet known. Larger samples are required - and expected - for subgroup analyses (e.g. between age groups). Recruitment will therefore continue throughout to year 3 and beyond. The Chi² test is used to compare two subgroups. Sample size planning cannot take unplanned multiple testing into account, so the results can only be interpreted exploratively.
Subsample calculations: If a difference of 5% between two frequencies is interpreted as clinically significant, at a power of 80% and an alpha error probability of 5% assuming normal distribution in both subsamples, the following sample sizes are required: For a very rare sample, ca. 200 cases per subsample are sufficient. If the rate is around 50%, ca. 1,600 cases per subsample are required.
Software: IBM SPSS Statistics 22, Microsoft Excel ...
Research partners providing theoretical and professional background:
University of Pécs Hungarian Medical Chamber (Győr-Moson-Sopron Megye) University of Witten Heim Pál Childrens Hospital National Emergency Service Healthware Tanácsadó Kft. Dr. Szőke Henrik és Társa Egészségügyi Szolgáltató Kft.
Organizational tasks are conducted in the framework of the University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences and by the Civil Support Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 10000
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description All patients FeverFriend mobile application There is no pre-specified group or subgroup of participant(s) assigned to receive the specific intervention(s) (or no intervention) according to the protocol. All patients get the same possibility to register their data and follow management advice.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 4 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) hydration: normal - somewhat decreased - severely decreased
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 9 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) crying quality (no, normal, abnormal)
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 1 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) body temperature grade Celsius
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 3 Before and during the period of single fever event (up to 20 days) medication, vaccination type and dosage
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 14 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) seizure yes - no
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 12 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) awareness: normal - sleepy - no (subjective scale; minimum = best = normal; maximum = worst = no)
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 2 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) duration of fever in days
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 7 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) skin condition: color and rash
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 13 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) exotic trip in the last 12 month yes - no
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 11 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) urination painful or smelly (yes - no)
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 5 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) ventilation: rate per minute
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 6 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) ventilation: wheezing and dyspnea (subjective scale 1-2-3-4-5; minimum 1; maximum 5; 1 is no symptom = better, 5 is the worst)
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 8 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) pulse rate beat per minute
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 15 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) wry neck yes - no
Care-givers state 1 During the period of fever event (up to 5 days) Care-givers own feeling about the progress of patients illness (subjective scale,1 best = optimal - 2 = not sure - 3 = worst = very worried)
Action taken, evaluation 1 48 hours after illness resolving Use of medication, use of medical providers service, utility of the device and knowledge base
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 10 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) eating last time in hours
Fever events outcome, condition of the patient 16 During the period of single fever event (up to 5 days) pain yes - no pain location local - general duration hours
Action taken, evaluation 2 48 hours after illness resolving Use of medication no - yes (type and dosage)
Action taken, evaluation 3 48 hours after last fever event documentation Use of medical providers service no - yes (institution type)
Action taken, evaluation 4 48 hours after last fever event documentation Utility of the device and knowledge base (subjective scale 1-2-3-4-5; minimum 1 = worst; maximum 5 = best)
Care-givers state 2 During the period of fever event (up to 5 days) Care-givers personal opinion about patients state: (subjective scale: minimum = best = not severe, middle = somewhat severe, maximum = worst = very severe)
Care-givers state 3 During the period of fever event (up to 5 days) Care-givers self-confidence in handling the situation (subjective scale: maximum = confident; worse = somewhat confident, even worse = not really, minimum = worst = not at all)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Pecs
🇭🇺Pecs, Hungary