Doctor Visits

Nearly half of parents schedule well visits with their child’s regular provider even if they have a long wait for an appointment. 1 in 3 parents believe their child is more likely to follow advice if it comes from a provider their child knows well. 3 in 4 parents recall the provider giving feedback on questionnaires completed about their child’s health and behavior.

Only half of parents recognize that screen time has a major impact on their child’s eye health. Most parents overlook simple actions to protect children’s eyes, such as wearing protective eyewear when playing sports and sunglasses when outside. 1 in 7 parents say their child has not had a vision test or seen an eye doctor in the past 2 years.

1 in 5 parents report their child had a virtual healthcare visit during the pandemic. Lower-income parents have more concerns about technical problems related to virtual care. Parents are more comfortable with virtual visits for mental health or minor illness than for check-ups.

7 in 10 parents say their child’s primary care office should have a policy to prevent completely unvaccinated children from infecting other patients. 4 in 10 parents say their child's primary care office has a policy requiring that children get all recommended vaccines; about the same number of parents are unsure of the office policy. 4 in 10 parents are very or somewhat likely to move their child to a different provider if there are children in the practice whose parents refuse all vaccines.

Half of parents said their young child age 2-5 was afraid of going to the doctor. 1 in 5 said it was hard to concentrate on what the doctor or nurse was saying because their young child was scared or upset. 1 in 25 had postponed a vaccine for their young child due to fear of doctor visits. Parents prepared their young child for the doctor by educating (with books, shows, or explanations) or placating (promising a treat or no shots).

Only about half of parents are very confident they can get a same-day appointment with their provider for a sick child. About 4 in 10 parents will take their child to an urgent care, retail clinic or emergency department if they wake up with sore throat and fever. 10% of parents would use email with their provider to get advice for a sick child.

Nearly one-third (30%) of parents have looked at online doctor ratings for themselves or a family member in the past year. 69% of parents believe doctor rating websites may have fake ratings. 11% of parents have left a rating about a doctor.

Only about 15% of parents report their teen would discuss health problems independently at a routine check-up. Two-thirds of parents complete health history forms without involving their teen. Parents’ top reason that teens are not involved in discussing health problems is they are not comfortable in that role.

Over 60% parents would definitely talk with the doctor if their school-age child were extremely sad for more than a month. Only half would definitely discuss temper tantrums or anxiety, and just over one third would discuss trouble organizing schoolwork.

Two-thirds of parents believe teens should shift to adult-focused care by age 18; only one-third do so. Less than one-half of parents of 18- to 19-year-olds believe their teens know how to make a doctor’s appointment. Parents are least confident about their teens’ self-management related to knowing what their health insurance covers.