The power of qualitative research.

Abstract

As pediatricians we pride ourselves on having great patient relationships by getting on our patient’s level. We are the physicians who perform magic tricks, look for animals and cartoon characters in our patients’ ears, and crouch down on the floor to meet our patients where they are. Not only do we meet patients where they are, but we often celebrate it, decorating our offices with patients’ crayon drawings and other artwork. As a new developmental pediatrics fellow, I wanted to understand the perspective of parents who didn’t always bring their children in for their appointments or who failed to schedule them at all. I thought that the only way to help people get “better” care was to ask them what they thought the problems were with the care they were currently receiving. I was surprised as I was trying to start this project that the same people who would be perfectly willing to sit on the floor to look for Big Bird … Address correspondence to Elizabeth A. Diekroger, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, WO Walker Building, 10524 Euclid Ave, Suite 3150, Cleveland, OH 44106. E-mail: elizabeth.diekroger{at}uhhospitals.org