Parental acceptance of nursing participation in well-baby care

The growing demands of health care for all persons in the United States and the shortage of health workers have stimulated innovations and new approaches in the present health care system. Pediatric workers have experimented with plans requiring collaboration and realignment of roles between physicians and nurse in making health care available to more children. The present study attempted to evaluate parental acceptance of a health care plan which utilized examinations and counseling by a nurse as a regular par of well-baby care. The attitudes of 27 mothers concerning the health care of their children received from age 5 months to 12 months were evaluated. Fourteen of the children received traditional pediatric will0child care; 13 mothers voluntarily participated in the new plan in which the nurse conducted alternate well-baby visits. Each mother responded to a questionnaire dealing with her satisfaction and evaluation of well-child care. The responses were compared using factor analysis and t tests. No differences were found in the attitudes of mothers toward the care their children received, and the new plan seamed to be well accepted. This plan appears to be a favorable method of delivering health care to young children.