Primary Care Clinicians’ Views of Parents’ Roles in Clinical Preventive Services for Adolescents

Introduction: This study examines primary care clinicians’ (PCCs) views of parents’ roles in adolescent preventive services, and strategies they use to engage with a wide range of parents. Method: Using a generic qualitative approach, researchers conducted semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of PCCs (n = 25) from urban and rural Minnesota communities. Interviews explored PCCs’ experiences and perspectives on multiple topics, including parents’ roles in adolescent care. Researchers used thematic analysis to answer the question “How do PCCs view parents’ role(s) in adolescent health care?” Results: Clinicians noted that parents (1) are interested, but not experts in adolescent health, (2) can be coached to be a source of support to teens, (3) can be a barrier to adolescent health and health care, (4) can facilitate adolescents’ health care. Specific types of PCC-parent interactions corresponded with each theme. Discussion: Findings highlight multiple strategies for clinicians to work collaboratively with adolescents’ parents.