In this study, we evaluated whether caregivers preferred to be called "Mom" and "Dad" or by name in the inpatient pediatric setting and how often caregivers reported that residents, attending physicians, and nurses greeted them as they preferred. METHODS: We measured caregivers' greeting preferences and perceptions of how residents, attending physicians, and nurses greeted them by surveying caregivers on 1 unit at a large urban children's hospital from October 2017 to April 2018. The 27-item survey consisted of multiple choice, Likert scale, and demographic measures. A member of the study team enrolled caregivers at the patient's bedside to complete the written survey anonymously. RESULTS: A total of 114 caregivers completed the survey (51% of 223 enrolled caregivers); 63% (95% confidence interval [CI] 53%-74%) of mothers and 57% (95% CI 36%-77%) of fathers preferred to be greeted as Mom and Dad, respectively; the rest preferred greetings by name. Caregiver preferences did not significantly vary on the basis of relationship to the child (mother or father), age, race, or education level (P. .05). Caregivers reported that 48% (95% CI 35%-62%) of residents, 43% (95% CI 29%-57%) of attending physicians, and 63% (95% CI 49%-75%) of nurses always or usually addressed them as they preferred. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of mothers and fathers preferred to be called Mom and Dad, respectively, whereas the rest preferred to be greeted by name. Caregiver preferences did not differ on the basis of demographics. Caregivers reported that residents, attending physicians, and nurses were inconsistent in following their greeting preferences.

Hospitals are increasingly motivated to improve the patient and family experience and increase patient satisfaction scores. The manner by which a provider greets patients and their families sets the tone for the hospital stay. This study aimed to improve residents' greetings of caregivers in the inpatient pediatric setting to improve family-centered communication. The study was conducted from October 2017 to April 2018 at a single, urban children's hospital on a unit with patients primarily <5 years old. The intervention consisted of posting a prominent board outside of patients' rooms that (1) listed caregivers' preferred names (e.g., Mom/Dad, first names), (2) instructed residents to greet caregivers warmly by their preferred names, and (3) identified residents for families by name and photograph. During implementation, we conducted 5 Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles and surveyed 114 caregivers. Improvement was assessed using run charts. The primary outcome was the percentage of caregivers who rated residents' warmth of greetings as “excellent.” This measure increased from a baseline median of 62.5%–84.4% with ≥6 consecutive postintervention points above the baseline median. The intervention improved caregiver-perceived quality of residents' greetings and could serve as a model for other hospitals to enhance provider-family rapport and improve communication.