Communication techniques used by pediatricians in the well-child program visits: a pilot study

Good communication between a parent and pediatrician may increase therapeutic adherence and the parent’s satisfaction. That is why the pediatrician’s main activity in a consultation is getting and giving information. Objective: To analyze what occurs during the pediatrician visits of the well-child program, namely the communication techniques used by the pediatricians. Methodology: We have analyzed 49 visits to five pediatricians in Seville (Spain). In order to study these visits we audio-taped them and transcribed the tapes. In order to quantify the communication techniques used by the pediatricians we developed a check list with 27 categories divided into three main communication tasks in a primary care visit: “concrete data gathering,” “narrative support” and “information & counseling.” Results: We have identified 2025 instances by which pediatricians used a communication technique, 1201 (59%) instances by which pediatrician used a communication technique to get information and 824 (41%) instances by which they gave information and counseling. Pediatricians used a limited range of techniques to inform and counsel and to give narrative support. Significant differences between pediatricians were observed in the use of most techniques. Conclusion: A limited range of communication techniques was observed. The lack of homogeneity between pediatricians suggested different styles of communication, depending on the quantity and quality of communication techniques. Practice implications: This result can be regarded as a useful hypothesis, and should be confirmed with larger pediatrician samples, because it would help to understand consultation practices better and this in time may help improve communication with parents