The development of a physician-patient-parent relationship is crucially important if the patient and parent are to effectively confide their concerns. This relationship develops over time, with regular visits, and is facilitated by the continuity of clinicians and other staff members. This clinical relationship is based on trust that develops as a result of several experiences in the context of the office visit. Perhaps the greatest factor facilitating the relationship is for patients or parents to experience advice as valid and effective. Anticipatory guidance should be age-appropriate and timely in order to be most helpful. Important skills include choosing vocabulary that communicates understanding and competence, demonstrating commitment of time and attention to the concern, and showing respect for areas that the patient or parent does not wish to address (assuming that there are no concerns relating to physical or sexual abuse or neglect).
Parents and patients expect that their concerns will be managed confidentially and that the clinician understands and sympathizes with those concerns.1
References
1. Treitz M, Nicklas D, Fox D. Ambulatory & Office Pediatrics. In: Bunik M, Hay WW, Levin MJ, Abzug MJ. eds. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, 26e. McGraw-Hill Education; 2022. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3163§ionid=266215478