My research interests are found at the intersection of health education, injury control and health communication. Exploring the use of new technologies to enhance patient education (computer tailoring) and using experiential teaching techniques (role-playing, simulated patients, computer learning) to enhance physician interviewing skills -- all focused on enhancing injury prevention counseling messages received by parents of young children -- is just one example of how these three areas merge in actual practice. The newest technology to be tested for its impact on parents' safety practices is a mobile safety center, a 40-foot truck outfitted with educational exhibits and low cost safety products that will travel to two Medicaid managed care pediatric clinics and community sites within Baltimore City. This project is based on our success with the Children's Safety Center, a hospital based safety resource center established in 1997 to address the injury prevention needs of low income, urban families.

Examples of past work include the development, implementation, and evaluation of alcohol and other drug and pediatric injury prevention curricula for physicians. A current example of work is the study of a brief, computer tailored intervention for parents whose children are being seen in an emergency department. Professional development opportunities include developing computer-based products, such as workshops, replication guides, and orientation guies to be used by health educators and others interested in developing their own injury prevention centers.

Health, Behavior and Society, Health Education, Injury Control, Health Communication, Computer Tailored Messaging, Professional Preparation

2004 Mohan Signh Award, Public Health Education and Health Promoton, American Public Health Association

1998 Early Career Award, Public Health Education and Health Promotion, American Public Health Association.

1992 Professional Development Award, Towson University, Towson, Maryland.

1985 Department of Health Science Award, Towson University, Towson, Maryland.

McDonald EM, Shields W, Reynaud F, Gielen AC. High car safety seat misuse rates suggest need for expert car seat installation. Submitted to J Safety Research July 2008.

Bulzacchelli MT, Gielen AC, Shields WC, McDonald EM, Frattaroli S. Impact of a mobile safety center on parental safety-related knowledge and practices in a low-income urban population. Submitted to Journal of Community and Family Health, July 2008.

McDonald EM, Shields WC, McKenzie LB, Gielen AC. Parental functional literacy in pediatric settings: How big a problem and who is at risk? Submitted to Health Promotion Practice, July 2008.

Weiss H, McDonald EM, Deguitis L, Garretson M. A survey of injury prevention in Pennsylvania. J Emerg Nursing, 2007 (accepted for publication).

Gielen AC, McKenzie LB, McDonald EM. Shields WC, Wang MC, Cheng YJ, Weaver NL, Walker AR. Using a computer kiosk to promote child safety: results of a randomized, controlled trial in an urban pediatric emergency department. Pediatrics, 2007; 120(2):330-9.

McDonald EM, MacKenzie EJ, Teitelbaum SD, Carlini AR, Teter H Jr, Valenziano CP. Injury prevention activities in U.S. trauma centres: are we doing enough? Injury. 2007; 38(5):538-47.

McDonald EM, Solomon B, Shields W, Serwint JR, Wang MC, Gielen AC. Do urban parents’ interests in safety topics match their children’s injury risks? Health Promotion Practice. 2006; 7(4):388-95.

Trifiletti LB, Shields W, Gielen AC, McDonald EM, Walker A. Development of injury prevention materials for people with low literacy skills. Patient Educ Counseling. 2006; 64(1):119-27.

Trifiletti LB, Shields W, Bishai D, McDonald EM, Reynaud F, Gielen AC. Tipping the scales: obese children and car safety seats. Pediatrics. 2006; 117(4): 1197-1202.

McDonald EM, Solomon B, Shields W, Serwint JR, Jacobsen H, Weaver NL, Kreuter M, Gielen AC. Evaluation of kiosk-based tailoring to promote household safety behaviors in an urban pediatric primary care practice. Patient Educ Couns. 2005; 58(2):168-181.

McDonald EM, Gielen AC, Trifiletti LB, Andrews JS, Serwint JR, Wilson MEH. Evaluation activities to strengthen an injury prevention resource center for urban families. Health Promot Practice. 2003; 4(2):129-137.

Chen L, Gielen AC, McDonald EM. Validity of self-reported home safety practices. Injury Prevention. 2003;9:73-75.

Bishai D, McCauley J, Trifiletti LB, McDonald EM, Reeb B, Ashman R, Gielen AC. The burden of injury in preschool children in an urban Medicaid managed care organization. Ambul Pediatr. 2002; 2(4):279-283.

Gielen AC, McDonald EM, Wilson MEH, Hwang WT, Serwint JR, Andrews JS, Wang MC. Effects of improved access to safety counseling, products, and home visits on parents' safety practices. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002; 156(1):33-40.

Gielen AC, McDonald EM, Wilson MEH, Serwint JR, Andrews JS, Hwang WT, Wang MC. Randomized trial of enhanced anticipatory guidance for injury prevention. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001; 155(1):42-49.

Gielen AC, McDonald EM, Forrest C, Harvilchuck J, Wissow L. Injury prevention counseling in an urban pediatric clinic. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151(2):146-151.