Family-healthcare Provider Communication and Reported Health among Children and Adolescents in the United States

Results from the National Survey of Children’s Health

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Most research regarding healthcare communication focuses on adults. The study investigated how family-healthcare provider communication influences reported health and activity limitations among U.S. children ages 0 to 17. Methods: In the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health, parents reported information on 87,133 children aged 0 to 17 years. The influences of different aspects of perceived healthcare communication on reported health and activity limitations were assessed using weighted logistic regression. Results: Children who were Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black, spoke a language other than English, had unemployed parents, and received public health coverage tended to have healthcare providers who did not communicate effectively. Hispanics reported worse communication experiences than non-Hispanic Blacks. Children whose provider never/sometimes spent enough time with them were more likely to have poor/fair health and to have activity limitations compared to those whose provider usually/always spent enough time. Having a healthcare provider who reportedly never/sometimes listened carefully to the caregiver was associated with poor/fair health and activity limitations (among children. Conclusion: Ineffective communication between healthcare providers and families was associated with poor reported health. Ineffective communication was more commonly reported by non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic families compared to non-Hispanic White families. Interventions to improve communication may promote children’s health.