Parental preferences and practices in communicating with pediatricians: A cross-sectional study from Istanbul

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to characterize the behavioral patterns of parents who seek child health and developmental information through social media, and to provide guidance for supporting accurate and appropriate information-seeking practices.
METHODS: Participants were recruited from among the parents of children presenting to different private hospitals, university hospital and family health centers. Total 933 parents were included in the study and each completed an online 19-item sociodemographic questionnaire developed by the researchers. The findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a 2-group comparison between mothers with lower and higher educational levels. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Among parents seeking to communicate with pediatricians, 96.8% preferred face-to-face consultations and 74% preferred phone contact, while fewer reported using e-mail (7.8%), medical websites (6.7%), WhatsApp (6%), physicians’ personal websites (3.7%), or social media platforms such as Facebook/Instagram (2.1%). Nearly half of the participants followed physicians on social media, with Instagram being the most common platform. Parental education was significantly associated with supplement-related decision-making. Educational level also significantly influenced communication preferences. Higher-educated parents more often contacted pediatricians via WhatsApp or e-mail (p< 0.05) while those with primary–secondary education preferred phone calls, communication through the physician’s assistant, direct mobile contact or Facebook (p< 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Although patterns of internet and social media use for pediatric health information varied by demographic characteristics, overall engagement remained high. Digital platform use for obtain and sharing information about child health has continued to expand, particularly during periods of heightened need such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, this growing digital engagement brings important challenges including concerns about the accuracy and ethical implications of online content, unresolved legal responsibilities, and the widespread commercial promotion of pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements on these platforms. (NCI-2025-10-10)

Keywords: Parents, Internet, Pediatrics, Social media, Information