A Brief Intervention Facilitates Discussions About Discipline in Pediatric Primary Care

Background. Participants were consecutive English or Spanish speaking parents of 1- to 5-year-old children presenting for a well-child visit. Parents viewed a 5- to 10-minute intervention that teaches appropriate discipline strategies. The participation rate was 99% (129/130). Thirty-six percent (46/129) reported they had a discussion about discipline with their pediatrician. Of the parents who had a discussion, 93% (43/46) agreed or strongly agreed that the intervention program helped with a discussion about discipline. One hundred percent (19/19) of Hispanic parents reported that the program was helpful compared with 86% (12/14) of Black parents and 91% (10/11) of White parents. Parents’ qualitative responses revealed that the intervention helped by facilitating communication with their physician and/or by providing information. Brief interventions, integrated into the primary care visit can help parents have discussions about discipline with their physician. The results have implications for improving pediatric primary care services, violence prevention, and child abuse prevention.