Training Young Parents to Identify and Report Their Children's Illnesses

Abstract

We developed a comprehensive training program to teach young parents what symptoms to look for to judge the severity of their children's illnesses, what to do at home to comfort their children, and when to consult their children's physician or take them for emergency treatment. Three pairs of subjects received training that included written handouts, verbal instructions, modeling, positive practice, and verbal reinforcement. Skill acquisition was assessed by a behavioral test in which parents assessed, treated, or reported a simulated illness in a child. Written materials when used alone did not improve the parent's ability to identify and report children's illnesses. Modeling and role-playing followed by positive practice were successful in teaching these parents skills that were maintained for 3 months without additional training or instruction.

Promoting Parent‐provider Interaction During Young Children's Health‐supervision Visits

“…These findings with pediatric patients are similar to previous patient-provider communication studies in which adult patients were encouraged to be more active participants during their health-care appointments (Greenfield et al, 1985;Roter, 1977). Our results, however, are not as robust as other behavioral studies of communication change (Delgado & Lutzker, 1988;Kohr et al, 1988). At least two differences should be noted.…”

“…Within this health-care framework, behavioral scientists can provide important answers about methods for enhancing patient-provider communication. For example, will more intensive behavioral strategies, such as prompting with feedback, modeling, role playing, or positive practice (Delgado & Lutzker, 1988), enhance parent participation? Can providers elicit and reinforce more active parent communication?…”

“…Previous research suggests that behavioral strategies may be useful in enhancing parent-initiated communications. Videotaped or live modeling, behavioral rehearsal and role playing, performance feedback, and positive practice have been used in combination to teach young parents to identify and report their children's illness symptoms (Delgado & Lutzker, 1988) and to teach parents of developmentally delayed children more effective communication with professionals (Kohr, Parrish, Neef, Driessen, & Hallinan, 1988). These strategies, although effective, have involved considerable training time.…”

Child Abuse and Neglect by Parents With Disabilities: A Tale of Two Families

“…Materials used for assessment and training included diapers, bottles, a thermometer, an anatomically correct infant doll, child toys, home safety supplies (e.g., outlet plugs, safety latches), publications illustrating the food groups and recommended serving sizes, and an instructional manual for parents to identify illnesses and to apply or seek appropriate treatment (Delgado & Lutzker, 1988).…”

“…Using an illness recognition protocol (Delgado & Lutzker, 1988), Christine was asked to pretend that John had certain symptoms that the staff described. Christine was asked to role play the action she would take while the staff member played the parts of John and medical personnel.…”