Effects of Simulation Video on Parental Recall of Seizure First Aid: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

Many parents of children do not recall anticipatory guidance on acute seizure management, which can lead to unnecessary emergency department visits. This quality improvement project evaluated if adding a video simulation of seizure first aid improved parental recall. Parents of children with seizures were randomized to standard verbal counseling or video group, which were shown a video simulation of seizure first aid. All families also received a standardized written action plan. Eighty-three patients were randomized from July to October 2018. Overall, 53% of families who received standard counseling accurately recalled seizure first aid compared with 31% in video group (χ² = 3.24, P = .07). Among families without baseline knowledge of seizure first aid, 43% in the standard counseling group recalled accurately compared with 16% of video group (χ² = 4.52, P = .03). These results underscore the importance of face-to-face patient education despite the popularity of video-based media. Future Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles will include piloting a hands-on seizure first aid simulation with mannequins.