The Impact of Concierge Pediatric Care on Parental Anxiety and Health-Seeking Behavior in Infancy

Background and objectiveThe early months of a child's life are often marked by heightened parental anxiety, particularly regarding health concerns.With growing access to online health information and the rise of concierge pediatric practices, it is important to understand how these factors influence parental anxiety and healthcare-seeking behavior.This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between internet use and parental anxiety, assess the impact of concierge pediatric care on stress, and examine how ease of access affects both online and inperson visit frequency during a child's first year. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to parents of children aged nine to 18 months enrolled in a concierge pediatric practice.The survey assessed demographics, primary concerns, visit frequency, online information-seeking behaviors, and the perceived impact of concierge care on stress and healthcare use.Statistical analyses included chi-square goodness-of-fit and independence tests, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. ResultsMost parents reported reduced stress due to the availability of concierge care for their child, with 76.7% indicating greater-than-expected reductions and 81.4% reporting an overall decrease in anxiety.Satisfaction with pediatrician availability was significantly associated with reduced stress (χ² = 4.75, p = 0.029).Ease of access influenced behavior (χ² = 6.14, p = 0.046), with nearly half reporting fewer visits.No significant associations were found between anxiety and parent education, membership duration, internet use, or number of children. ConclusionsConcierge pediatric care was associated with reduced parental anxiety and more efficient healthcare utilization.Provider access appears to be central to these outcomes.