Increasing parent-pediatrician communication about children's psychosocial problems.

OBJECTIVE To examine the differential effects of two scoring procedures for a parent-completed measure, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), designed to assess children's behavioral and emotional functioning, on parent-pediatrician communication concerning psychosocial issues. METHODS Prior to their medical appointment, 174 parents of children aged 4-16 were assigned to one of three experimental conditions: (1) typical medical care control, (2) Staff-Scored PSC administration, or (3) Parent-Scored PSC administration. Following the appointment, parent perception of parent-pediatrician communication was assessed. RESULTS For children with more emotional and behavioral problems, participants in the Parent-Scored group and the Staff-Scored group had better parent-pediatrician communication scores than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Both the Staff-Scored and Parent-Scored administrations of the PSC improved parent-pediatrician communication on psychosocial issues. The Parent-Scored PSC removed the scoring burden on the medical personnel.