New technologies such as cell phones and personal digital devices are ubiquitous, but are underused in the public health arena. The proposed study will develop and pilot test innovative approaches using new technologies to contact parents with immunization messages.
The specific aims of the Technology for Immunization Message Enhancement program are to: 1) assess technology use among public and private immunization providers, exploring current usage of and willingness to use text messaging and other technologies to communicate with parents of vaccine-eligible children;2) assess the willingness of parents to receive immunization messages through text messaging or other technologies, the perceived barriers to receiving such messages, and preferences regarding the format and content of messages;3) implement and evaluate pilot projects using text messaging and other technologies to support immunization messages, in diverse settings and with different age groups. The proposed study offers an excellent opportunity to create generalizable knowledge in an important new area of research, the use of new technologies to enhance immunization messaging.

Public Health Relevance

The expanding use of technology presents new opportunities for public health to incorporate new technologies into strategies for engaging clients. The proposed project aims to develop and pilot test strategies for using text messages and other new technologies to enhance immunization messages for parents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Immunication and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01IP000316-02
Application #
7934444
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZIP1-IBT (13))
Program Officer
Hopkins, Andrew S
Project Start
2009-09-01
Project End
2012-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$280,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Clark, Sarah J; Reeves, Sarah L; Gebremariam, Acham et al. (2015) Communication From Primary Care Practices Regarding Adolescent Immunization. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 54:1107-9
Clark, S J; Costello, L E; Gebremariam, A et al. (2015) A national survey of parent perspectives on use of patient portals for their children's health care. Appl Clin Inform 6:110-9
Dombkowski, Kevin J; Cowan, Anne E; Costello, Lauren E et al. (2014) Feasibility of automated appointment reminders using email. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 53:1004-7
Dombkowski, Kevin J; Harrington, Laura; Hanauer, David et al. (2012) Current and potential use of new technologies for reminder notifications. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 51:394-7
Clark, Sarah J; Butchart, Amy; Kennedy, Allison et al. (2011) Parents' experiences with and preferences for immunization reminder/recall technologies. Pediatrics 128:e1100-5