Exploring Perceptions of Patient-and-Family Centered Care Practices of Pediatricians and the Potential of Child Life Services in Primary Care Settings

Abstract

The current study explored primary care pediatricians' perceptions of their patient and family centered practices and the potential for the role of child life specialist in outpatient primary care practices. Child life specialists provide patient and family centered therapeutic interventions that address the psychosocial needs of children and families during times of stress. Patient-and-family centered care was the framework that guided this study. A sample of 17 primary care pediatricians from North Carolina completed the online cross-sectional survey that was adapted from the Family-Centered Care Self-Assessment Tool (Family Voices, 2008). Results highlight that 11 (65%) pediatricians reported that they had a written policy about delivering family-centered care in their practice. However, all participants self-reported that they provided family-centered care most of the time. Fifteen (94%) reported vaccines and needle sticks as a common fear of children during a visit to a primary care pediatrician. Participants reported that in their practice, children could receive between two to eight needle sticks, with a mean of five needle sticks during one visit. The most utilized pain management technique was having the child held securely in a comforting manner. Findings underscore the scope for child life role in this setting. Eight (50%) pediatricians are willing to support part-time child life services in their practice if they were funded by alternate means such as a grant or fellowship. Salary costs seemed to be the main barrier to hiring a child life specialist in the primary care setting. More research and perhaps exploring alternate payment sources are needed to promote child life specialists' role in primary care pediatric settings.