Abstract

Patient-centered care requires pediatricians to address parents' health concerns, but their willingness to solicit parental concerns may be limited by uncertainty about which topics will be raised. The authors conducted surveys of parents to identify current health-related issues of concern.
METHODS
Participants rated 30 items as health problems for children in their community (large, medium, small, or no problem) and volunteered concerns for their own children.
RESULTS
A total of 1119 parents completed the survey. Allergies (69%), lack of exercise (68%), asthma (65%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (65%), Internet safety (63%), obesity (59%), smoking (58%), and bullying (57%) were identified as important problems (large or medium) with variation among demographic subgroups. Concerns for their own children included healthy nutrition; obesity; lack of exercise, healthy growth and development; safety and injury prevention; and mental health issues.
CONCLUSION
Parents' health concerns for children are varied and may differ from those routinely addressed during well-child care.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Garbutt JM, Leege E, Sterkel R, Gentry S, Wallendorf M, Strunk RC

Institution

Washington University, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. jgarbutt@dom.wustl.edu

Source

Clinical pediatrics 51:9 2012 Sep pg 840-7

MeSH

Adolescent
Attitude to Health
Child
Child Health Services
Child Welfare
Child, Preschool
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Needs Assessment
Parents
Pediatrics
Preventive Health Services

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22843294