Session: Three Family-Based Prevention Programs in Pediatric Primary Care: Implementation, Effectiveness and Lessons Learned (Society for Prevention Research 25th Annual Meeting)

This symposium aims to describe three innovations for integrating family-based prevention programs into pediatric primary care, which together contiguously span infant care through early adolescence. Each study investigates a novel technique within pediatric primary care to improve parenting practices using prevention programs with efficacy for reducing risk of multiple deleterious outcomes. The studies differ in targeted age groups, regional location, and intervention protocols.

First, “Smart Beginnings: Integration of Video Interaction Project and the Family Check-Up to Promote School Readiness with Low-Income Infants in Pediatric Care” describes a program that offers both universal and secondary programs for families with children at their age 6 and 18 month check-ups. Both programs are designed to improve parenting practices with a primary outcome of improving a child’s school readiness. This randomized trial involves 400 families comparing the two-tier intervention package to care as usual.

Second, “Effects of Pediatrician Training on Implementation of Parenting Supports in Pediatric Primary Care for Families Challenged by Children’s Behavior Problems,” is an effectiveness/implementation hybrid study of using an online version of the Triple P Online System (TPOS) and specialized training for pediatricians. Both interventions are intended to improve parental management of behavior problems in 3- to 8-year-olds. At one-year post-training of pediatricians at 31 pediatric clinics, large variance in pediatrician use and perception of their training as well as support for TPOS was observed, moderated by pediatrician age. Pediatrician perceptions of implementation feasibility will be discussed.

Third, “Pediatrician-initiated Screening and Referral to Treatment (Prevention) for 10- to 13-year-olds at High Risk for Substance Use Initiation before High School” outlines a screening and referral protocol to detect 10- to 13-year-olds at risk for substance use and other behavior problems before high school. Parents of youths who are at high risk are referred to receive the Family Check-Up program. With half of the planned sample recruited (N=268), large engagement rates, high acceptability, and effectiveness at reducing a range of risk factors have been observed.

The symposium discussant will provide summary observations, describe implications for prevention involving pediatrics, and moderate the discussion between presenters and attendees. The relatively novel collaborations between prevention scientists and pediatricians; potential for future healthcare-based, family-oriented prevention; lessons learned regarding implementation; and study outcomes are expected to be of interest to conference attendees.