Parent perspectives on the integration of a parenting assessment tool into pediatric primary care

To determine parents' perspectives on a parenting assessment tool integrated into pediatric primary care METHODS: A validated parenting assessment tool, the Quick Parenting Assessment (QPA), was integrated into well child visits at a pediatric primary care clinic. After the visit, parents (N=538) were invited to complete a survey; 490 (91%) participated.

402 parents completed the QPA, and about half (47%) reported their health care provider reviewed the QPA with them. Compared to parents who reported no QPA review, parents who had a QPA review were more likely to have had a discussion about discipline with their health care provider (89.2% vs. 32.4%; p<0.01), to agree that health care providers should ask parents about discipline (92% vs. 78%; p<0.01), and to seek discipline advice from their child's doctor (61% vs. 49%; p=0.03). Compared with parents with low QPA scores, parents with elevated scores were more likely to want to discuss discipline with their provider (42% vs. 26%; p=0.04) and if the QPA was reviewed, to plan to change how they discipline their child (85% vs. 31%; p<0.01).

A parenting assessment tool, especially if reviewed by health care providers, can increase discussions about discipline in pediatric primary care and change parents' plans to discipline. Findings have implications for mitigating adverse childhood experiences, preventing child abuse, and improving population health.