Video Discharge Instructions for Pediatric Gastroenteritis in an Emergency Department

Video discharge instructions (VDI) have been suggested as a useful strategy to improve discharge instructions in pediatric emergency units. The goal of this study is to evaluate if the addition of VDI to usual verbal information improved the comprehension of information provided to caregivers of patients who consult for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). An open-label, parallel, randomized trial was designed, enrolling patients who consult for AGE. First, caregivers answer a written test concerning AGE characteristics and management. They are randomly allocated to a control group, which receives verbal discharge instructions, or to an intervention group, which additionally receives video discharge instructions. After discharge, caregivers are contacted by telephone and answer the same test. Main outcome measure is difference between test scores in the first and the second tests, secondary endpoints are how many caregivers score 5/5 on the second test, as well as rate of return visits and caregivers satisfaction with the information received.