OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence ofparent–provider discussions of family and communityhealth risks during well-child visits and the gaps betweenwhich issues are discussed and which issues parentswould like to discuss.
METHODS: Data came from the National Survey ofEarly Childhood Health a nationally representative sampleof parents of 2068 children aged 4 to 35 months. Theoutcome measures were 1) the reported discussions withpediatric clinicians about 7 family and community healthrisks and 2) whether the parent believes that pediatricclinicians should ask parents about each risk.
RESULTS: Most parents believe that pediatric providersshould address topics such as smoking in the household,financial difficulties and emotional support available tothe parent. However with the exception of “householdsmoking,” fewer than half of parents have been askedabout these topics by their child’s clinician. Parents ofblack and Hispanic children were more likely than parentsof color children to be asked about several of theseissues as were parents of the youngest children andthose with publicly financed health insurance. The greatestgap between parents’ views and their reports of discussionwith the clinician occur for parents of whitechildren and older children. Among parents who holdthe view that a topic should be discussed parents ofwhite and older children are less likely than others toreport discussing some or all family and communityhealth risks.
CONCLUSION: The low frequency of discussions formany topics indicates potential unmet be. More universalsurveillance of parents with young children mightensure that needs are not missed particularly given thatstrong majorities of parents view family and communitytopics with the exception of community violence asappropriate for discussion in clinic visits. [ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://repositories.cdlib.org/ccpr/olwp/CCPR-036-04
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