What is the best approach when a family is skeptical about preventive care?

• A. Acknowledge concerns, provide information about preventive care, and offer support.
• B. Deny responsibility.
• C. Ignore the concerns.
• D. Dramatically shame the family into compliance.

Answer: (A)

Building trust through respectful, collaborative communication is essential when families are skeptical about preventive care. The best approach is to acknowledge their concerns, provide clear, evidence-based information about what preventive care involves, and offer ongoing support to address questions and barriers. This approach invites shared decision-making, helps families feel heard, and allows you to tailor guidance to their values and circumstances. Using plain language, offering resources, and checking understanding with teach-back strengthens confidence in the plan. Dismissing responsibility, ignoring concerns, or shaming the family undermines trust, increases resistance, and makes it harder for preventive services to be accepted.