The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45227

Gloria L. Krahn, PhD, MPH, Nancy Wile, PhD, Anne Turner, MS, Jason Wingert, MS, Sujin Sabrina Rhee, MA, and Andrew Downs, MA. Oregon Institute on Disability & Development, Oregon Health & Science University, PO Box 574, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Portland, OR 97207-0574, (503)494-8364, krahng@ohsu.edu

Children and adolescents with special health care needs need to develop behaviors and practices to remain healthy and well. Health care providers, families, and children need to work together to promote behaviors that will allow children to assume responsibility for health behaviors and successfully transition to independence. Health promotion behaviors include practices in immunizations, nutrition, physical activity, sexual activity, drug and alcohol use as examples. There is currently little information available on the practices of health care providers that support health and wellness practices in children and adolescents with special health care needs (CSHCN).

The present study examines the wellness promotion practices of pediatricians as they relate to CSHCN compared to their general patient population. A national stratified random sample of pediatricians were surveyed on: (a) their attitudes towards wellness promotion activities, (b) their knowledge and health promotion practices relating to patients in their general practice and to patients with special health care needs, (c) barriers and incentives for engaging in health and wellness promotion activities, and (d) demographic characteristics.

Data analyses address the questions: (1) Are there differences in the amount and type of wellness information given by physicians to CSHCN? (2) What age-related differences are noted? (3) What are the common facilitators and barriers to wellness promotion by pediatricians relative to CSHCN? (4) What provider characteristics are predictors of wellness promotion? Finally, this study provides recommendations for research and practice to support health promotion practices for CSHCN.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• identify key health promotion acitivities that CSHCN can practice to maintain wellness
• describe common and infrequent physician practices to support CSHCN practice wellness
• describe barriers and facilitators to physician's supporting wellness practices of CSHCN
• outline training and policy implications for health care providers

Keywords: Health Promotion, Physicians

Related Web page: www.healthwellness.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.