TIME: Technology for Immunization Message Enhancement

描述（由申请人提供）：手机和个人数字设备等新技术无处不在，但在公共卫生领域未得到充分利用。拟议的研究将开发和试点测试使用新技术的创新方法，向父母提供免疫信息。免疫信息技术加强规划的具体目标是：1)评估公共和私人免疫提供者的技术使用情况，探索使用短信和其他技术与符合疫苗条件的儿童的父母沟通的现状和意愿；2)评估家长通过短信或其他技术接收免疫信息的意愿、接收此类信息的感知障碍以及对信息格式和内容的偏好；3)在不同环境和不同年龄组实施和评估利用短信和其他技术支持免疫信息的试点项目。拟议的研究提供了一个极好的机会，在一个重要的新研究领域，即利用新技术加强免疫信息传递，创造可推广的知识。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 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.