Aim: This study evaluated the effect of an interactive, web-based educational program on parents' opioid risk knowledge, risk perceptions, analgesic self efficacy and decision-making. Patients & methods: Totally, 64 parents from a tertiary care pediatric healthcare setting were assessed for risk understanding at baseline, immediately and 3 days after receiving the educational program. Results: Participants gained increased opioid risk knowledge, enhanced risk perceptions as well as enhanced analgesic self efficacy after program exposure. The program had no effect on parental decisions about when to give or withhold a prescribed opioid. Conclusion: The interactive web-based program improved parental knowledge about opioid risks. Program enhancements may be needed to improve pain management decisions about when it is safe to use opioids and when they should be withheld.
Keywords: opioid risk; pain; patient understanding; pediatrics; web-based patient education.