Pediatricians' opinions of mothers.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence pediatricians' opinions of mothers. The degree to which mother-physician interactions, mother-child interactions, and maternal demographic variables influence pediatricians' opinions of mothers was assessed with a 54-item questionnaire. Questionnaires were mailed to 470 Chicago-based American Academy of Pediatrics Fellows; 268 (57%) of the questionnaires were returned and, of these, 230 were suitable for analysis. A majority of pediatricians reported that their opinions were "greatly" positively influenced by mothers who communicate clearly (60%), understand recommendations (56%), follow recommendations (68%), and keep appointments (58%). In comparison, significantly fewer pediatricians' opinions were "greatly" influenced by mothers who are friendly to them (38%) or who like them (34%) (chi 2, P less than .001). Pediatricians were also "greatly" influenced by mothers who seem safety conscious (67%), use car restraints (57%), and keep immunizations updated (61%). Female pediatricians, in contrast to men, were significantly more influenced by mothers who "respond to their crying infants" and who "try to calm an anxious child" (chi 2, P less than .05). Pediatricians' opinions of mothers appear to be greatly influenced by maternal compliance, communications skills, and cognitive abilities, as well as by mothers who promote health and safety. Affective variables such as friendliness seem less important. Female pediatricians appear more influenced by mothers who actively console their children.