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This study assessed how web-based information affects parental trust in physician's diagnosis of autism (PDA) and likelihood of seeking a second opinion. Participants of an online survey were randomly allocated to one of three hypothetical scenarios, all were given a vignette of a non-verbal 18-month-old child followed by (1) not viewing Internet results, (2) viewing results suggesting autism, or (3) viewing results suggesting language delay and rated their trust and likelihood of seeking a second opinion. When Internet results contradicted PDA, parents reported less trust in PDA and greater likelihood of seeking a second opinion. Due to the Internet's influence on parents' response to PDA, clinicians should discuss their differential diagnosis with parents, address Internet-related concerns, and recommend trustworthy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how parental trust in physician diagnoses and likelihood of seeking a second opinion (SO) are affected by Internet sources. In an anonymous survey, 1374 parents of minors viewed a vignette describing their child's symptoms followed by Internet results that either supported or contradicted the pediatrician's diagnosis (Dx). A control group did not view any Internet results. After learning the Dx, participants rated trust in the Dx and likelihood of seeking a SO on a 7-point Likert-type scale. Participants who viewed contradicting results were less likely to trust the Dx (P <.001) and more likely to seek a SO than the control (P <.001). Participants who viewed supporting results were more likely to trust the Dx (P <.001) and less likely to seek a SO than the control (P <.001). Physicians must be aware of the influence the Internet may have on patients' trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The extent to which pediatricians inform parents about gestation-adjusted age growth plotting is unclear. Uninformed parents may have decreased satisfaction of infant growth. Subsequent early introduction of solid foods may lead to avoidant feeding behaviors and poor parental perception of infant feeding patterns. Methods. Questionnaires regarding infant growth and feeding behaviors were given to parents (n = 76) of premature infants. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and χ2/Fisher’s exact tests were used. Results. Uninformed parents were less satisfied with their infant’s growth (P < .002). Uninformed parents had more developmentally unready infants at the time of solid food introduction compared with informed parents (P = .03). Significant differences were found in avoidant feeding behaviors and parental perception of infant feeding patterns between developmentally ready and unready infants. Conclusion. Pediatricians should adjust for gestational age when plotting growth and assess for developmental readiness for premature infants when recommending solid foods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]