Pediatricians Need Training about Car Booster Seats, Says Study

CINCINNATI‑Only one of three pediatricians is confident about counseling parents appropriately regarding car booster seats, according to a new study.

The study shows that few pediatricians have received formal training in booster seat laws and guidelines. As a result they lack knowledge of laws, guidelines and proper counseling, according to Jennifer Setlik, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

The study will be presented Oct. 3 at the American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting in San Francisco.

Setlik surveyed nearly 100 pediatricians who practice in Ohio. Although 98.4 percent of the pediatricians in the study knew the appropriate height requirements and positioning for booster seats, only 34 percent were confident that they were counseling parents according to AAP guidelines.

Half were unaware of Ohio legislation regarding booster seats. Although the study was conducted in Ohio, Setlik believes the results can be applied to pediatricians nationwide.

"It is very important that pediatricians seek proper training and stay up to date with current information regarding state booster seat laws,” says Setlik.

"They also need to become more knowledgeable about AAP resources that are available to them, including three specific AAP online training guides.”

In addition to lack of training, pediatricians also mentioned other barriers to discussing booster seats with families. These include not enough time during a regular office visit to talk about booster seats and parents’ disinterest.
 
Most pediatricians surveyed (60 percent) wanted to receive special training about booster seats.

"Doctors want to learn more about the topic. We will work closely with the AAP to make that happen.”