ASSESSING MOTHERS ATTITUDES ABOUT THE PHYSICIANS ROLE IN CHILD HEALTHPROMOTION

Objectives. This study assessed maternal attitudes about the physician 's role in child health promotion. Methods. Home interviews were condu cted with 200 Massachusetts mothers (with one child age 2 to 3 years) enrolled in a health maintenance organization. Results. Mothers chose growth and nutrition, physical development, and illness as the most im portant topics and felt that providers have the ability to prevent pro blems and to help. Psychosocial and safety issues were less important, although mothers felt susceptible to these issues and believed they g reatly affected children's health. Conclusions. On all issues, mothers believed physicians were more effective in helping families after, no t before, problems arose. The Health Belief Model provided insight int o attitudes and possible interventions.