WebParc - Evaluation of a website for parents of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Abstract

Background: Having a child with JIA presents parents with many challenges. Interventions that offer parents support to help them manage their child’s illness are therefore important; however attending face-to-face sessions may be difficult to fit into their lives and staff resources may be scarce. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the benefits to parents of having access to a specifically designed website for parents of children with JIA called “WebParcâ€, in combination with standard clinical care when compared to standard care alone. Methods & Design: Design: Multi-centered randomised controlled trial (RCT) Participants: Parents of approximately 200 children with newly diagnosed JIA attending rheumatology clinics. Measures: Measures include parenting stress, parent self-efficacy in managing their child’s illness, parent mood, child health related quality of life, and website usage statistics. Randomisation: Once baseline questionnaires are received, parents will be randomised (by household) to either the intervention arm (access to website and standard care) or the control arm (standard care alone). Expected results: The primary outcome is parenting stress, and we expect to see a reduction in stress in the intervention group. We also predict that parent self-efficacy in managing their child’s illness will improve. Current stage of work: Currently setting up NHS sites for recruitment and have started recruitment of participants for the trial across England (UK). Discussion: The trial evaluates the effectiveness of the website when compared to standard care alone, and will emphasise a need for additional support for parents of children with a chronic illness like JIA.