Communication techniques used by pediatricians during well-child program visits: a pilot study.
Good communication between a parent and pediatrician may increase therapeutic adherence and the parent satisfaction. Therefore, a pediatrician's main goal during a consultation is obtaining and giving information.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze occurrences during well-child program visits, specifically the communication techniques used by pediatricians.


METHODS
We analyzed 49 visits to 5 pediatricians in Seville (Spain). To assure the visits were accurately studied, we audio-taped and transcribed them. To quantify the communication techniques used by pediatricians we developed a check list with 27 categories divided into 3 main communication categories for the visit; "concrete data gathering," "narrative support" and "information and counseling."


RESULTS
We identified 2025 instances in which pediatricians used a communication technique, 1201 (59%) instances in which the pediatrician used a communication technique to gather information, and 824 (41%) instances in which they gave information and counseling. Pediatricians used a limited range of techniques to inform, counsel and give narrative support to patients. Significant differences among pediatricians were observed in the use of most techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
A limited range of communication techniques were observed. The lack of homogeneity among pediatricians suggests different styles of communication, depending on the quantity and quality of communication techniques used.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding can be regarded as a useful hypothesis and should be confirmed with larger pediatrician samples, as it would help to better understand consultation practices that may, in time, help improve communication with parents.
Nunes
Cristina
C
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. csnunes@ualg.pt
Ayala
Mariano
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010372:Pediatrics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric