title: [Greeting modalities preferred by patients in pediatric ambulatory setting].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The greeting is the first form of verbal and nonverbal communication and is a valuable tool to support the physician-patient relationship.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess parents and children preferences on how they want pediatricians greet and address them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study. The population was persons accompanying patients (parents or guardians) between 1 month and 19 years old and patients older than 5 years old. A survey questionnaire was completed after the medical visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 419 surveys from patients' companions and 249 from pediatric patients were analyzed; 68% of the companions preferred the doctor addressed them by the first name, 67% liked to be greeted with a kiss on the cheek and 90% liked to be treated informally. Preferring to be greeted with a kiss on the cheek was associated in multivariate analysis with the companion was the mother, age younger than 39 years and longer time in knowing the pediatrician; 60% of the patients preferred to be addressed by their first name.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the outpatient setting patients companions and patients themselves prefer to be addressed by their name informally and be greeted with a kiss on the cheek.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Clínica Pediátrica, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. alfredo.eymann@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eymann
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ortolani
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catsicaris
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wahren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations