Parental expectations regarding discussions on psychosocial topics during pediatric office visits

Parents from urban (n=67) and suburban (n=76) primary care settings respond ed to a survey determining the extent to which 9 common psychosocial concer ns have affected their children. Parents also reported their expectations o f their pediatrician to discuss such topics during a health care visit. Wit hin both settings, discipline was the most frequently experienced (41%), co mmonly discussed (34.3%), and frequently expected (75.4%) topic to be discu ssed. The frequency of discussions on psychosocial topics was less than hal f that of the actual reported occurrence of the psychosocial concern. When discussions on psychosocial topics did occur, however, most parents (87.3%) perceived pediatricians as helpful.