Journal of pediatric psychology
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Investigated physician-parent communication styles and the effects of concordance between parent's desired communication styles and the communication style exhibited by physicians. Subjects were 107 parents of children scheduled for an appointment with a pediatrician at a general medical clinic. Parents and physicians completed rating forms indicating the degree to which parents desired each of four communication styles (information giving, interpersonal sensitivity, partnership, and directing one's own treatment). ⋯ Results indicated that physicians underestimated the degree of interaction desired by the parents. Parent desires for particular communication styles were not predicted by characteristics of the parents. Interaction variables predicted parent perceptions and subsequent need for contact with the physician.