The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude of family physicians toward a child with delayed growth and development.

Primary healthcare professionals play a key role in monitoring growth and development, the best indicator of the child’s health status. If delayed growth and development can be detected early, then it is usually possible to restore functioning.

This descriptive study was performed in Samsun, Turkey, in May and June 2015. In total, 325 family physicians were included. The study consisted of two parts. In the first session of the research, the story of an 18-month-old child with delayed growth and development was presented using visual materials. An interview between the child’s mother and a member of primary healthcare staff was then enacted by two of the authors using role-playing. Subsequently, participants were given the opportunity to ask the mother and member of primary healthcare staff questions about the case. During the sessions, two observers observed the participants, took notes and compared these after the presentation. In the second part of the study, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of three open-ended questions.

When asking questions of the mother, family physicians generally used accusatory and judgmental language. One of the questions most commonly put to the mother was ‘Do you think you are a good mother?’ Family physicians were keen to provide instruction for the patient and relatives. Family physicians to a large extent thought that the problem of a child with delayed growth and development can be resolved through education.

Family physicians’ manner of establishing relations with the patient and relatives is inappropriate. We therefore think that they should receive on-going in-service training on the subject.