WIP 96 - Promoting parental engagement in developmental monitoring through quality improvement project in a pediatric ambulatory care.

Poster Number: WIP 96
Publication Number: WIP 96.834

Background: Parental knowledge of developmental milestones increases timely identification of developmental pathologies by the pediatric providers. Displaying engaging graphics introducing milestones in exam rooms, and actively promoting a free, reputable and easily accessible Digital Milestone checklist and Milestone tracker app resources from Center for Disease Control (CDC) is an efficient way of promoting that knowledge.

Objective: To identify the best strategies addressing the gap in parental knowledge of early development by actively promoting a free, reputable and easily accessible CDC resource.

Design/Methods: This was a 5 month (September2023 to January 2024) retrospective pre and post intervention study that measured the effect of a passive (posting visual leaflets “Your Child’s early development is a journey” and CDC Milestone Tracker app information in each exam room), and active (encouraging parents to use the website/app) strategies on parental engagement in developmental monitoring. We used strategy Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle, supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to implement changes in pediatric clinic. Pre-test was administered to 100 consented parents, which included a need assessment (intent to know more about a child’s development). Post-test assessment included the use of the resource, as well as effectiveness of the passive versus active strategies. Secondary outcomes measures were related to the parent and pediatric resident perceived usefulness of the interaction regarding the Milestone tracker.