TABLE 5.

The Use of Alternative Formats for WCC Services: Sample Quotes (83 Total Quotes)

5a. Formats: group visits were highly endorsed and seen as empowering to parents, allowing them to serve as informal providers through the sharing of behavioral/developmental advice and experiences, as well as offering social support to other parents.

“When you're in a group of people, you can feed off each other, give ideas and suggestions from other people.”

“Just like set a time, like say from like 11 am to 1 pm; say we all have 10-month-olds and the first hour for the exam and the next hour is for discussion for child rearing and the child behavior. With the kids being looked after.”

“The lady here at the clinic gave me those groups when I was pregnant with my child; I came to a prenatal group. They give advice about that, and they give a number to call about any case of domestic violence. Because it doesn't necessarily have to be only about punches, but also violence can be verbal.”

“I joined Mom's Club of Oakdalea and there are a lot of moms. You know, we can talk about anything … we want to know, `Oh how about if my kid becomes 2 years old what they do, started talking yet.' You know, a little bit like comparison. Just want to know exactly what my child—is 1-year-old—what they do. Like other moms have.”

“Kaiser has something like that, there are support groups for parents of newborn babies, because there is much pressure and sometimes the mother is a beginner.”

5b. Formats: phone, e-mail, and Internet are options that should be available to the parent as convenient and timely ways to communicate with providers outside of a visit. However, there were also concerns regarding access and privacy for e-mail and Internet communication.

“WebMD. I love it. I mean, like I said, the 1-year-old … he started throwing temper tantrums. He would literally fall back, pow! Bang his head, and just keep banging. The lady said [by e-mail], `You know why he's doing that? As long as you keep paying him attention and you're like, please don't, he's going to keep doing it.' She said, `Just turn your back.' I was like, you crazy! She said `Just try it, I promise you, it will stop.' You know, this is e-mail. [I tried it with the next tantrum], and I just turned around and literally walked away. And he was like, what are you doing? Where you going? I'm throwing a tantrum here. And I'm like, I'm just not going to pay no attention. And I mean, it stopped. It really stopped.”

“I get that [BabyCenter.com], and I signed up and so they'll e-mail me once a week. … One thing I liked about it that actually no one else has told me this: is the guidelines. It gave me a good guideline as far as his crawling and when to be concerned. Whereas the doctor's like, `Oh, don't worry, he'll do it.' It just gives you a good feeling. I think being a mother I think it gives you more better understanding, a better feeling, more secure feeling.”

“I would set up a blog for the doctors … at least 3 doctors each week, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. They'll go on the Internet at a certain time and … blog. The community would know which doctors are going in there at a certain time and they can discuss whatever they have to discuss. It would be like a message board where you can ask questions and comment. Like a discussion group, but it's on the Internet … but you'd have to coincide that [the blog] with computer Internet classes, because everyone isn't Internet savvy.”

“Everyone's totally different, so I think if you just … ask me, you know, would I like for someone to come or would I like someone to call? It's up to the individual. Give me the option.”

“Because people steal information nowadays and confidential information could be stolen. It is very important for me that other people don't see my medical information.”

^aName changed to protect privacy