Adolescent Violence Prevention Practices Among California Pediatricians

Author: Chaffee, T.A. Stephen / Bridges, M. / Boyer, C.B.
Publication: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Topics: Age Group Education/Counseling Gun Carrying Medical Prevention
Keywords: Adolescents PREVENTION Risk Factors Violence
Bibliographic information +

Two hundred twenty pediatricians practicing in California completed a self-report questionnaire to examine their provision of violence prevention services to their adolescent patients. The results show that on average, respondents screened their patients for violence-related risk factors 31% of the time for fighting, 39% of the time for violence in the home and 29% of the time for firearm carrying. Violence-related interventions, including written materials, follow-up appointments and discipline counseling were provided by the respondents less than 50% of the time to their at-risk patients. Some of the factors associated with provision of violence screening and intervention services by the pediatricians include positive attitudes and beliefs regarding screening for violence, familiarity with violence prevention guidelines, use of prompts in medical records, and availability of resources and positive reinforcements from patients and colleagues for providing violence prevention services.