Abstract
Innovative handheld technologies are changing the possibilities for public health interventions. The present research describes
a preliminary examination of the iPhone™ when used as an assessment tool and an enhancement to an evidence-based, in-home
child safety intervention. Three families with young children received an augmented version of the Safety module of SafeCare,
a home-visiting child maltreatment prevention program. Specifically, parents were trained to use an iPhone to video rooms
in their homes, as well as communicate feedback, logistics, and safety content between the home visitor and parent. The effectiveness
of iPhone and video was examined using a multiple baseline design across in-home settings replicated across families. Home
hazards were reduced dramatically across rooms and across participants. Face-to-face time of the home visitor was progressively
reduced and replaced by video data collection. These data suggest smartphones are promising for data collection and for augmenting
face-to-face interactions. Implications for reducing costs as smartphones become increasingly ubiquitous and for engaging
and retaining participants are discussed.
a preliminary examination of the iPhone™ when used as an assessment tool and an enhancement to an evidence-based, in-home
child safety intervention. Three families with young children received an augmented version of the Safety module of SafeCare,
a home-visiting child maltreatment prevention program. Specifically, parents were trained to use an iPhone to video rooms
in their homes, as well as communicate feedback, logistics, and safety content between the home visitor and parent. The effectiveness
of iPhone and video was examined using a multiple baseline design across in-home settings replicated across families. Home
hazards were reduced dramatically across rooms and across participants. Face-to-face time of the home visitor was progressively
reduced and replaced by video data collection. These data suggest smartphones are promising for data collection and for augmenting
face-to-face interactions. Implications for reducing costs as smartphones become increasingly ubiquitous and for engaging
and retaining participants are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-011-9372-6
- Authors
- Julie J. Jabaley, Center for Healthy Development, Georgia State University, GSU, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA
- John R. Lutzker, Center for Healthy Development, Georgia State University, GSU, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA
- Daniel J. Whitaker, Center for Healthy Development, Georgia State University, GSU, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA
- Shannon Self-Brown, Center for Healthy Development, Georgia State University, GSU, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482