Providing Virtual Support to Children With Mild Developmental Delays in Response to the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had massive impacts across the globe. Children with developmental delays are an increasingly vulnerable population, highlighting the importance of ensuring they have access to high-quality virtual services during this time. The Early Discovery program currently provides therapeutic interventions for children with mild developmental delays. We sought to compare the outcomes of 2 cohorts within the Early Discovery program using different delivery approaches (n = 238 families): children who received services in person before the pandemic (n = 126) and children who received services via telehealth in the acute phase of the pandemic (n = 112). Both groups of children showed significant improvements in language skills posttreatment, and, with regard to auditory comprehension, both groups showed similar rates of improvement. However, children receiving in-person services before the pandemic showed greater improvements in expressive communication skills than children receiving telehealth services during the pandemic. Results indicate that the Early Discovery program was able to make adjustments during the pandemic that assisted families in maintaining progress in improving their child's language skills.

(IT) "Something for us." Co-developing a COVID-19 vaccine social media site for long-term care workers : Presenter(s): Ailyn Sierpe, Dartmouth, United States;Catherine Saunders, Dartmouth, United States

Background Confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains low among long-term care workers (LTCWs) despite U.S. mandates. Largely from underserved groups, LTCWs often feel overlooked in the healthcare system. While difficult to reach with workplace communication interventions, many LTCWs actively use social media. Various social media interventions have improved attitudes and uptake for other vaccines. We aimed to develop a curated social site to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence (three-arm randomized trial underway). Methods Following user-centric design and participatory approaches, we undertook three steps: content identification (1), platform development (2) and community building (3). A LTCW and stakeholder advisory group provided iterative input. For content identification (1), we identified topics of concern about COVID-19 vaccines via desktop research (published literature, public opinion polls and social media), refined via interviews (n=9) and a poll (n=13) with LTCWs. We also conducted a survey with those demographically representative of LTCWs (n=592). We curated and fact checked posts from popular social media platforms addressing the concerns. During platform development (2), we solicited preferences for site design and functionality via LTCW interviews and UX interviews (n=3). We also identified best practices for online community building (3), like comment moderation. Results Content identification (1) resulted in 400+ posts addressing four categories: COVID-19 in general, and vaccine benefits, risks, and development. The platform we developed (2) is a stylized Wordpress social media site. Users can sort posts by topic or subtopic, as well as react to or comment on posts. To build community (3), we recruited three LTCW ‘community ambassadors' and instructed them to encourage discussion, acknowledge concerns and offer factual information on COVID-19 vaccines. We also set ‘community standards' for the site. Implications of research for communication in healthcare: If the site increases vaccine confidence, similar curated social media innovations could be modeled in other populations.

Co-Development of a Web Application (COVID-19 Social Site) for Long-Term Care Workers ("Something for Us"): User-Centered Design and Participatory Research Study.

BACKGROUND: Improving confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters among long-term care workers (LTCWs) is a crucial public health goal, given their role in the care of elderly people and people at risk. While difficult to reach with workplace communication interventions, most LTCWs regularly use social media and smartphones. Various social media interventions have improved attitudes and uptake for other vaccines and hold promise for the LTCW population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a curated social web application (interactive website) to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence (a 3-arm randomized trial is underway). METHODS: Following user-centric design and participatory research approaches, we undertook the following 3 steps: (1) content identification, (2) platform development, and (3) community building. A LTCW and stakeholder advisory group provided iterative input. For content identification (step 1), we identified topics of concern about COVID-19 vaccines via desktop research (published literature, public opinion polls, and social media monitoring), refined by interviewing and polling LTCWs. We also conducted a national online panel survey. We curated and fact-checked posts from popular social media platforms that addressed the identified concerns. During platform development (step 2), we solicited preferences for design and functionality via interviews and user experience testing with LTCWs. We also identified best practices for online community building (step 3). RESULTS: In the interviews (n=9), we identified 3 themes: (1) LTCWs are proud of their work but feel undervalued; (2) LTCWs have varying levels of trust in COVID-19-related information; and (3) LTCWs would welcome a curated COVID-19 resource that is easy to understand and use-"something for us". Through desktop research, LTCW interviews, and our national online panel survey (n=592) we found that participants are interested in information about COVID-19 in general, vaccine benefits, vaccine risks, and vaccine development. Content identification resulted in 434 posts addressing these topic areas, with 209 uploaded to the final web application. Our LTCW poll (n=8) revealed preferences for personal stories and video content. The platform we developed is an accessible WordPress-based social media web application, refined through formal (n=3) and informal user experience testing. Users can sort posts by topic or subtopic and react to or comment on posts. To build an online community, we recruited 3 LTCW "community ambassadors" and instructed them to encourage discussion, acknowledge concerns, and offer factual information on COVID-19 vaccines. We also set "community standards" for the web application. CONCLUSIONS: An iterative, user-centric, participatory approach led to the launch of an accessible social media web application with curated content for COVID-19 vaccines targeting LTCWs in the United States. Through our trial, we will determine if this approach successfully improves vaccine confidence. If so, a similar social media resource could be used to develop curated social media interventions in other populations and with other public health goals.

Subacute COVID-19 Infection Presenting as Indolent Large Pericardial Effusion.

Reports of complications as a result of COVID-19 infection are emerging since the virus became a pandemic. Although not fully understood, reports show that the COVID-19 virus has shown acute pericardial involvement resulting from this infection. It can cause a wide range of manifestations from minimal effusion to large effusion with tamponade; however, there is little or no data on an indolent course of COVID-19 infection and its resulting manifestations. Here we describe a patient who had minimal disease symptoms for weeks, resulting in sizeable pericardial effusion formation.