Development and Implementation of an Online Patient Education Program for Children and Adolescents With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Their Parents, Siblings, and School Personnel: Protocol for the Prospective BAYNET FOR ME/CFS Study

Abstract

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) presents significant challenges for affected children and adolescents, their social environment, and treating physicians, due to its profound impact on quality of life and the lack of causal therapeutic approaches. One crucial aspect of care that has been missing for these patients is comprehensive education for both them and their social circles.

Objective: This study protocol aims to outline the goals, study design, execution, and evaluation of the subproject within the BAYNET FOR ME/CFS project. The focus is on developing online education programs for children and adolescents with ME/CFS, as well as for their parents, siblings, and school staff. These programs are designed to improve independent disease management, increase knowledge, and promote interaction with other affected individuals.

Methods: In phase I, the group-based online education programs were developed by a multidisciplinary team based on the ModuS concept created by the Competence Network for Patient Education (KomPaS). These programs were then piloted and finalized. Phase II involved recruiting participants and implementing the finalized programs. Given the restricted physical and cognitive capacities of the affected individuals, the patient education programs were exclusively designed in a digital format to facilitate participation. In phase III, the programs will be evaluated for acceptance, completeness, and participant satisfaction. The qualitative assessment will focus on individual expectations and benefits derived from the training. Phase IV will further assess the programs in terms of improvements in disease knowledge, health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, and family burden.

Results: The programs were developed, piloted, and finalized during phase I, which ran from December 2022 to May 2023. The pilot phase, from March to May 2023, led to adaptations in the program concept. In total, 8 patients and their parents, 5 siblings, and 59 school staff participated in the piloting. Adjustments were made to the format, content, duration, and schedule to better meet the needs of the affected individuals and their social circles. In phase II, participant recruitment for the patient education program took place from January to July 2023. The study successfully recruited 24 young patients with ME/CFS and their parents, along with 8 siblings and 51 school staff. Two program blocks for patients and parents and 2-3 blocks for siblings and school staff commenced in May 2023 and were completed within the same year. Phase III began after phase II and involves the evaluation of the programs, with the process expected to conclude by the end of 2024. Phase IV, planned for 2025-2026, will involve the rollout of the program to 150 children and their caretakers. This phase will focus on evaluating disease knowledge, health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, and family burden, as well as include longitudinal assessments.

Conclusions: The data aim to support the development of a comprehensive, interprofessional care model for children and adolescents with ME/CFS.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/54679.

Keywords: ME/CFS; ModuS; adolescents; children; parents; patient education; siblings; teachers; training.