140 Hawaii Parent SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 When parents know they have someone they can turn to with questions— whether about a newborn’s feeding, a teenager’s anxiety, or the latest health topic circulating online—they are less likely to rely solely on information that may be inaccurate or misleading. Better Relationships Lead to Better Outcomes Research also shows that continuity with a primary care pediatrician is associated with better health outcomes for children. Children who receive ongoing care from the same pediatric practice are more likely to stay up to date with preventive visits and immunizations, receive recommended developmental screenings, and have chronic medical conditions managed more effectively. Continuity of care has also been associated with fewer emergency department visits, fewer unnecessary hospitalizations, and improved coordination when specialty care is needed. Navigating Health Information Together Parents today face an unprecedented amount of health information online. Some of it is excellent. Some of it is outdated. Some of it is simply incorrect. Rather than expecting families to sort through it alone, pediatricians can help interpret new information within the context of each individual child.
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