Kid Cards: Teaching Kids About Medicines

This study is being done to see if education about medicines directed toward children will improve their knowledge. The investigators also want to know if this knowledge lasts over time. Right now there are few medication instructional cards that are appropriate for children. Most of the medication cards provide information for adults. Some studies have shown that by teaching children directly, the children may take medicine at the right time for the right reason, have fewer side effects and know more about their medicine. The purpose of this research study is to see if education about medication helps children learn more about their medicine and if this knowledge lasts.

In 2004, then Surgeon General Carmona stated that a health literate individual is more apt to know the answer, when asked how to keep themselves well (AHRQ, 2004). There is a burgeoning movement among medical professionals to address health literacy. Teaching health information to children will empower them to actively participate in their current care and provide self-management skills that will assist them to keep themselves well throughout their lives. Currently, few medication administration instructional cards exist that are appropriate for children. Providing medication information that the child might understand may result in better administration compliance, fewer adverse effects and develop an individual that is knowledgeable regarding medications and appropriate administration. The purpose if this research is to develop medication administration cards, appropriate for children, which provide information on the most commonly used drugs among the Hematology/Oncology population. The overall objective of this research is to develop medication informational cards for medications frequently used within the Hematology/Oncology pediatric population, and evaluate the effectiveness of these cards, by means of a pre- and post-test.

Inclusion Criteria: Between the ages of 7 - 11 years Currently receiving disease management primarily coordinated through the Hematology/Oncology section Receiving a medication identified as a variable for this study Are able to assent and have a parent/guardian who is willing to consent to study participation Suffer no apparent developmental difficulty that would prevent or make study participation difficult Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who cannot read or write English Individuals who are known to be non-compliant with medication routine and/or adhering to follow-up visits.