Pediatrics is changing. There was once a time when parents learned all they needed to know from their doctors. Web 1.0 then created seemingly unlimited access for patients seeking information. We’re now approaching the point where information seeks parents via social networks.
What does this mean for pediatricians? The doctor-parent relationship is changing. Empowered parents are doing their homework and talking among themselves. And more than that they’re getting involved in evaluating treatment options. This increasing role that parents play in their child’s care may be referred to as participatory pediatrics. It is an inevitable derivative of expanding access to information, evolving social networks, and the shrinking capacity of a pediatrician to provide all the information that today’s parent wants and needs during a time-limited encounter.
The reality of participatory pediatrics is most evident in complicated medical conditions where social networks help parents understand options for their child.
So as pediatric providers we have two options: 1) we can suggest that parents never access online information and continue to believe that we alone can provide everything or 2) partner with our parents to help them establish some level of social media literacy while respecting that our relationship with them is different from any other. Hopefully the answer is obvious.
Every pediatrician needs to recognize the realities of our evolving relationship with parents. Guidance in the social media space needs to be introduced as a key component of health care for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics needs to take a proactive role in the establishment of guidelines and recommendations for practicing pediatricians and parents.
While pediatricians may be one-half of a two-way relationship, the market will ultimately support those doctors who recognize and support the changing role of the parent in a child’s care. This shift in shared power with participatory pediatrics may seem difficult but it represents an unavoidable reality that should be leveraged for the best interest of our children.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
You are so right about the changing climate in pediatrics. Parents and pediatricians would be wise to recognize this and to be part of the process together. Parents have to learn to understand not all the advice they get online is reliable. While heartfelt, it is often rendered by parents similar to themselves but who have positioned themselves to enjoy success and an amount of celebrity status via their websites and blogs. Pediatricians would be wise to listen more to where parents are spending their time online and help guide parents to more reliable and trusted sites, as well as be available in new and web 2.0 enabled ways for parents to reach out when needed. If more pediatricians would dip a toe in the web 2.0 world, perhaps parents would turn to their pediatrician more instead of well spoken "expert" parents they find online.
I was about to make a comment but Dr. Gwenn already said it for me. Thanks to both of you for the great post and comment.
My name is Randi Holyan I am a Junior at White River High School in Buckley. In my english course I am completing a research paper in which I am investigating a potential career. I have chosen to research what it is like to be a Pediatrican.
One of the requirements of my research is to interview someone in the field. I know that you are a successful Pediatrican and could offer me valueabout insights into the career. Would you be willng to take 15 minutes to respond to the questions i have.
Please let me know if you are willing to help!
Respectfully,
Randi Holyan
Randibugkissme@yahoo.com