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Family health history (FHH) can identify families at increased risk for disease. Purpose. To learn mothers’ (1) perceptions of the benefits of FHH and (2) willingness to complete a FHH tool, My Family Health Portrait (MFHP). Methods. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers recruited through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Deductive and inductive codes were developed. Results. A total of 25 mothers were interviewed. Perceived benefits included keeping the pediatrician informed (n = 12; 48%) and preventive screenings recommended based on FHH (n = 10; 40%). Participants had positive impressions of MFHP and felt that it was user-friendly (n = 17; 68%). Lack of FHH knowledge was the most common challenge to completing MFHP, but most respondents stated that they would be able to complete MFHP prior to their child’s medical appointment (n = 23; 92%). Conclusion. Mothers are interested in and may be motivated to complete a parent-generated FHH prior to a pediatric appointment. Future research should focus on FHH implementation in practice.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe how pediatric providers collect and use family health history (FHH) and their perceptions about My Family Health Portrait (MFHP) as a pediatric health promotion and disease prevention tool. Study design.A random sample of 148 pediatric providers was invited to participate in a semistructured qualitative interview. Transcripts were reviewed by 2 coders, and interrater reliability was determined. Results. In all, 21 providers were interviewed. All participants collected FHH at new visits and when patients presented with a symptom or complaint. Most providers believed that collecting FHH of chronic disease benefits the pediatric population. Time was the most commonly cited barrier to FHH collection; collecting FHH prior to the office visit was the most frequently cited facilitator. Providers believed that the use of MFHP would improve FHH collection and allow targeted education and preventive recommendations. Respondents also identified logistical and other issues that must be resolved to integrate MFHP into clinical practice. Conclusion. This research suggests that pediatric primary care presents many opportunities to collect and discuss FHH and that providers are optimistic about the clinical use of a parent-generated FHH collection tool. Future research should assess parent perspectives about the use of MFHP.