The parent-physician relationship in pediatric asthma care

Objective: To examine the feasibility of using a behavioral coding system, the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS), to estimate the prevalence of relatio nship difficulties between parents and physicians in a pediatric asthma car e setting. Method: The FMSS was administered to 20 parents of children with severe, ch ronic asthma and to the physicians they worked with during a brief day prog ram admission. Results: Rates of relationship difficulties between parents and physicians ranged from 15% to 40%, comparable to those previously identified in patien t-therapist relationships in psychiatric populations. Conclusions: Although further information is needed about validity and reli ability, the FMSS appears to provide clinically relevant information about the parent-physician relationship in the context of pediatric chronic illne ss.