Abstract
The objective of this study is to inform medical home implementation in practices serving limited English proficiency Latino
families by exploring limited English proficiency Latina mothers’ experiences with, and expectations for, pediatric primary
care. In partnership with a federally-qualified community health center in an urban Latino neighborhood, we conducted semi-structured
interviews with 38 low-income Latina mothers. Eligible participants identified a pediatric primary care provider for their
child and had at least one child 3 years old or younger, to increase the probability of frequent recent interactions with
health care providers. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed through an iterative and collaborative process to identify
participants’ satisfaction with and expectations for pediatric primary care. About half of the mothers interviewed were satisfied
with their primary care experiences. Mothers suggested many ways to improve the quality of pediatric primary care for their
children to better meet the needs of their families. These included: encouraging providers to invest more in their relationship
with families, providing reliable same-day sick care, expanding hours, improving access to language services, and improving
care coordination services. Limited English proficiency Latina mothers expect high-quality pediatric primary care consistent
with the medical home model. Current efforts to improve primary care quality through application of the medical home model
are thus relevant to this population, but should focus on the parent-provider relationship and timely access to care. Promoting
this model among practices that serve limited English proficiency Latino families could improve engagement and satisfaction
with primary care.
families by exploring limited English proficiency Latina mothers’ experiences with, and expectations for, pediatric primary
care. In partnership with a federally-qualified community health center in an urban Latino neighborhood, we conducted semi-structured
interviews with 38 low-income Latina mothers. Eligible participants identified a pediatric primary care provider for their
child and had at least one child 3 years old or younger, to increase the probability of frequent recent interactions with
health care providers. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed through an iterative and collaborative process to identify
participants’ satisfaction with and expectations for pediatric primary care. About half of the mothers interviewed were satisfied
with their primary care experiences. Mothers suggested many ways to improve the quality of pediatric primary care for their
children to better meet the needs of their families. These included: encouraging providers to invest more in their relationship
with families, providing reliable same-day sick care, expanding hours, improving access to language services, and improving
care coordination services. Limited English proficiency Latina mothers expect high-quality pediatric primary care consistent
with the medical home model. Current efforts to improve primary care quality through application of the medical home model
are thus relevant to this population, but should focus on the parent-provider relationship and timely access to care. Promoting
this model among practices that serve limited English proficiency Latino families could improve engagement and satisfaction
with primary care.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0951-9
- Authors
- Lisa Ross DeCamp, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Center for Child and Community Health Research, Mason F Lord Bldg, Ste. 4200, 5200 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Edith Kieffer, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Joseph S. Zickafoose, Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Sonya DeMonner, RWJF Clinical Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Felix Valbuena, Community Health and Social Services Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Matthew M. Davis, Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michele Heisler, RWJF Clinical Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875