Pediatricians’ attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers to school readiness
Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, cilt.65, sa.2, ss.278-289, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 65 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2023
- Doi Numarası: 10.24953/turkjped.2022.677
- Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.278-289
- Anahtar Kelimeler: School readiness, pediatrician, adverse childhood experiences, developmental surveillance, barriers
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background. School readiness (SR) has been adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a component of health supervision, but the medical community’s role is unknown. We evaluated the pediatricians’ attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers to SR. Methods. This multicenter, cross-sectional descriptive study was performed among 787 general pediatricians, pediatric residents, subspecialists, and subspecialty fellows. A 41‐item survey was administered. Results. Forty-nine point two percent of the pediatricians defined SR as a multidimensional issue, as outlined by the AAP, whereas 50.8% defined it as the child’s set of skills or passing the SR tests. Three-quarters of pediatricians believed that SR assessment tests are necessary before starting school, and children who do not appear ready should wait a year. To promote SR, the rates of usually fostering at least four of the five “Rs” (reading, rhyming, routines, rewarding, relationships) and integrating developmental surveillance into daily practice were 37.8% and 23.8%, respectively. Only 2.2% of pediatricians usually inquired about eight adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and 68.9% did not usually ask about any. Usually fostering at least four of the five “Rs” was associated with usually integrating developmental surveillance (p<0.001), usually inquiring about each ACE (p<0.001), and being perceived as responsible for promoting SR (p<0.01). Training on SR during pediatric residency was 2.7%. Time constraints and insufficient knowledge were the most common barriers. Conclusions. Pediatricians were not familiar with the concept of SR and had some misconceptions. There is a need for additional training regarding pediatricians’ roles in promoting SR along with addressing multiple, modifiable barriers within the health system.