The usability of medicine education assignments for seven to nine year‐old children

Abstract

Purpose

A medicine education web site was developed during a research project in 2002–2004 to help teachers in primary and junior secondary schools to teach children the proper use of medicines. However, there was a need to develop further the assignments for the youngest schoolchildren. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of three medicine education assignments created for seven to nine year‐old children, and to describe how children experienced them.

Design/methodology/approach

Triangulation of two methods was used: ten observed lessons and eight focus group discussions (FGD) with children (n=46). Two researchers observed medicine education lessons given by four primary school teachers. After these lessons, the children were interviewed in focus group discussions.

Findings

Teachers used the assignments in various ways. It became clear in the observations that the children enjoyed the assignments and that they did not feel embarrassed about the topics discussed. During the FGDs, they discussed topics related to learning objectives generally in a good and extensive way. Moreover, the children remembered the main messages to be learnt.

Originality/value

The medicine education assignments developed for seven to nine year‐old children are useful and feasible, and furthermore, they are flexible and can be used in different situations with different groups of children.

Citation

Hämeen‐Anttila, K., Honkanen, L. and Vainio, K. (2009), "The usability of medicine education assignments for seven to nine year‐old children", Health Education, Vol. 109 No. 6, pp. 491-506. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280911001167