The Importance of Social Networks, Norms and Attitudes on Infant Care Practice Decisions

Social networks are the people in our circle that we interact with every day like family, friends and coworkers. These are the people we go to for advice. Within every social network are social norms. These social norms influence how parents make decisions about the care they give to their children.

Listen to pediatric experts discuss social networks, norms and attitudes in infant care practice decisions

In this episode, we have the privilege of welcoming Rachel Moon, MD, back to the podcast to discuss the importance of social networks, social norms and attitudes in infant care practice decisions.

Dr. Moon first joined us on Charting Pediatrics at the 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Conference. You can go back and listen to that podcast on infant safe sleep practices from season 2, episode 13.

Dr. Moon is the Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of Pediatrics and the Division Head of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Background information on social networks and norms and how they affect parents’ decision making
• What research has shown in terms of how a healthcare provider’s advice factors in with a parent’s social networks or social norms
• What Dr. Moon has learned about trying to get a champion (advocate within the parents’ social network) who can help parents make care decisions
• How doctors’ advice is perceived in relation to other advice parents are getting from their social network
• The SMART (Social Media and Risk Reduction Training) Study
• How providers can incorporate social norms into their practice