Facebook Advertisements Recruit Parents of Children With Cancer for an Online Survey of Web-Based Research Preferences. Issue 2 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akard, Terrah Foster; Wray, Sarah; Gilmer, Mary Jo
• Is Part Of: Cancer nursing. Volume 38:Issue 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.736
• DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0162-220X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Studies involving samples of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families face significant challenges, including inadequate sample sizes and limited diversity. Social media recruitment and Web-based research methods may help address such challenges yet have not been explored in pediatric cancer populations.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>This study examined the feasibility of using Facebook advertisements to recruit parent caregivers of children and teenagers with cancer. We also explored the feasibility of Web-based video recording in pediatric palliative care populations by surveying parents of children with cancer regarding (<italic>a</italic>) their preferences for research methods and (<italic>b</italic>) technological capabilities of their computers and phones.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>Facebook's paid advertising program was used to recruit parent caregivers of children currently living with cancer to complete an electronic survey about research preferences and technological capabilities.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>The advertising campaign generated 3 897 981 impressions, which resulted in 1050 clicks at a total cost of $1129.88. Of 284 screened individuals, 106 were eligible. Forty-five caregivers of children with cancer completed the entire electronic survey. Parents preferred and had technological capabilities for Web-based and electronic research methods. Participant survey responses are reported.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> <p>Facebook was a useful, cost-effective method to recruit a diverse sample of parent caregivers of children with cancer. Web-based video recording and data collection may be feasible and desirable in samples of children with cancer and their families.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Practice:</title> <p>Web-based methods (eg, Facebook, Skype) may enhance communication and access between nurses and pediatric oncology patients and their families.</p> </sec> </abstract>