What are parents worried about? Health Problems and Health Concerns for Children

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 2012-09, Vol.51 (9), p.840-847
Main Authors: Garbutt, Jane M., Leege, Erin, Sterkel, Randall, Gentry, Shannon, Wallendorf, Michael, Strunk, Robert C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Attitude to Health
Child
Child Health Services
Child Welfare
Child, Preschool
Childrens health
Demography
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Needs Assessment
Parents
Parents & parenting
Pediatrics
Polls & surveys
Preventive Health Services
Uncertainty
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/0009922812455093