Behavioral health needs in pediatric medicine and the acceptability of behavioral solutions: implications for behavioral psychologists

Behavior therapists' ability to survive and prosper in an increasingly competitive and restrictive health care environment may be dependent, at least in part, on the marketing of behavior therapists as valuable consultants. The process of marketing behavior therapists as consultants for pediatricians requires information about the problems that pediatricians confront as well as the perceived acceptability of the behavioral technology available to treat those problems. Eighty-five pediatricians identified the types of problems they regularly confront. They then rated the acceptability of six common behavioral interventions that might be used in the treatment of common child behavior problems. Results indicated that, more than any other problem, parents complain to pediatricians about their children's oppositional behavior. In addition, pediatricians report they find these problems most challenging to treat. Finally, pediatricians found each of the basic behavioral techniques to be acceptable for the treatment of oppositional behavior. The importance of these findings is discussed in terms of marketing behavior therapists and their technology and establishing careers in behavioral pediatrics.