Doctor Visits

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.

Most children get sports physicals from their usual health care provider. Walk-in or urgent care clinics and schools are also common locations. 89% of parents agree that sports physicals are not a substitute for regular check-ups. Parents rate measuring blood pressure, discussing medical history, and testing vision as very important to include in sports physicals.

Parents vary widely in views about their responsibilities in getting specialty care for their children. Parents were most divided about who is responsible for choosing the specialist: 52% say primary care providers, 48% say parents. Parents see clinical expertise & training in pediatrics as most important characteristics of specialists & convenience of appointment less.

Dental visits are recommended to begin by age 1, but most children 1-2 years old have not seen a dentist. Less than half of parents say health care providers talked with them about taking their child to a dentist. 1 in 10 parents say a health care provider noted a problem with their child’s teeth at age 1-2.