Table 3

Key characteristics summary of included studies (excluding hGH papers)

Method studied/referenceCountryParticipant characteristicsOutcomes assessedPreferred treatment characteristicsAssociated analytical theme
Insulin pen- NovoPen Echo10Canada, Finland, Israel and SwedenParticipants diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (n=315). Aged 2–18 yearsRating effects of memory function in paediatric insulin devices
  • Preference for NovoPen: ease of preparation, administration and improved confidence

  • Ease of use

  • Patient/caregiver agency

Effect of subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ) administration on patient satisfaction and disease control12TurkeyPaediatric patients diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n=39) who were switched from TCZ-IV to TCZ-SC (n=9). Age range 8.6–13.5 yearsQuestionnaire evaluating improvement in school performance, happiness with the drug and general satisfaction
  • Improved quality of life, school success and improved school attendance

  • Impact on daily life

Intravenous and intramuscular administration of asparaginase13USAPaediatric medical professionals who treat patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (n=74)Online survey accessing practices and attitudes of physicians
  • Intravenous preferences due to the ease of administration, patient preference and convenience

  • Ease of use

Patient and parent preference of sedation vs no sedation for intra-articular corticosteroid injections (IACI)14BoliviaPatients and their parents who had received IACI with and without sedation (n=45). Median age 10.6 yearsPreference for anaesthesiologist-controlled deep sedation with sevoflurane vs no sedation and associated characteristics
  • Most children prefer to receive IACI under sedation due to pain, whereas parents tended to prefer avoiding the risk

  • Tolerability of injection

Insuflon device (ID) for the administration of 15The NetherlandsChildren receiving chemotherapy or requiring stem cell mobilisation (n=29). Median age of 3 yearsPatient preferences for benefits, side effects and form of administration for ID
  • Preferred characteristics of ID was due to usability, reliability and safety in the care of children

  • Impact on daily life

Intravenous IgG (IVIg) treatment vs home treatment with subcutaneous IgG (SCIg)16SwedenChildren aged >1–<18 years with documented PID requiring IgG replacement therapy (n=12). Median age 10.9 yearsQuestionnaires assessed quality of life and healthcare resource utilisation following treatment change
  • Preference of SCIg treatment: increased independence, freedom, reduced healthcare utilisation and improved quality of life

  • Home/healthcare interface

Preference and usability of the NovoTwist insulin pen needle vs conventional screw thread needles19UKChildren and adolescents with type 1 diabetes being treated with insulin (n=30). Age range 6–17 yearsPreference and perception of ease of learning, ease of attachment and detachment of needle, and ease of disposal
  • Preferred characteristics of NovoTwist included ease of attachment/detachment and ease of use

  • Ease of use

Perspectives and knowledge around allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASI) of parents20TurkeyParents whose children were diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis with positive skin prick test (n=198)Survey evaluating the demographical and sociocultural characteristics of parents, knowledge levels and perspectives of parents
  • Parents prefer sublingual ASI due to ease of use and lower risk of severe side effects

  • Ease of use

Experience of parents who have given their infant enoxaparin26AustraliaParents/caregivers of children <12 months (n=11)Experiences and educational needs of parents/caregivers
  • Parents felt overwhelmed by experience of managing treatment and high importance on education

  • Patient/caregiver agency

  • Home/healthcare interface

Prefilled pen vs prefilled syringe of methotrexate (MTX) subcutaneous injection27PolandChildren diagnosed with JIA with ongoing subcutaneous MTX therapy (n=23). Median age 11.7 yearsPreference for the MTX prefilled pen vs prefilled syringe after 1 month of treatment and comparison of experiences
  • MTX preference due to pain, ease of preparation and higher confidence

  • Ease of use

  • Tolerability of injection

BPG reformulation preferences towards a new penicillin treatment30New ZealandChildren (n=50) (age range 10–21 years) receiving regular BPG injections for ARF/RHD, their family members (n=40) and health professionals (n=43)Explored factors included experiences, preferences and drug characteristics for a new penicillin prevention and barriers and enablers to treatment
  • Pain, provide alternative route of administration, reduce frequency, remove injections

  • Tolerability of injection

  • Impact on daily life

  • Patient/caregiver agency

  • Home/healthcare interface

Acceptability of long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment (LAI-ART)32USAExperienced HIV care providers (n=7), persons living with HIV (PLWH) (n=31) and parents of children living with HIV (n=5)Semistructured focus group discussions to examine acceptability of LAI-ART, initial perception and desired attributes was examined
  • Fear of needles, preference for clinic administration (avoid self-administration), cost and reduced injection frequency

  • Tolerability of injection

  • Impact on daily life

  • Patient/caregiver agency

  • Home/healthcare interface

Effects of regular needle injections on children and their parents’ daily living33NorwayChildren with rheumatic disease (RD) aged 6–17 years (n=16) and their parents (n=16) who recently started needle injection treatmentIndividual interviews and focus groups evaluated the effects of regular needle injections on daily living
  • Difficulties incorporating injections into lives, pain, fear, lack of confidence from parents

  • Ease of use

  • Tolerability of injection

  • Patient/caregiver agency

  • Home/healthcare interface

Barriers to administering non-oral medicines to children with chronic conditions
34
UKChildren and their parents with chronic conditions (n=90). Age range 0–17 yearsSemistructured interviews examined 88 barriers to administering non-oral medication
  • Barriers: difficult preparation, injection administration, disruption to life

  • Ease of use

  • Tolerability of injection

  • Impact on daily life

  • ARF, acute rheumatic fever; BPG, benzathine penicillin G; JIA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis; RHD, rheumatic heart disease.