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To assess the impact of participation in an educational presentation on electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation in children on pediatric practitioners' ability to accurately interpret ECGs.Pediatric healthcare providers at a pediatric clinic with65 000 visits/year were eligible to participate. A 1-hour ECG educational module that provided a systematic approach to ECG interpretation was presented to 8 providers who consented (6 pediatricians, 2 pediatric nurse practitioners). A test on 11 ECGs (normal, normal-variant, and abnormal ECGs) was given before and 2 weeks after the educational module. Outcomes included correct interpretation of each ECG as normal or abnormal and correct identification of specific ECG findings. Data analysis was descriptive and included χMean score (SD) for correct interpretation of ECGs as normal or abnormal improved from 35% (48%) (95% CI 25.0-45.4) to 77% (42%) (95% CI 68.3-86.2) after the ECG educational module (P .001). Mean (SD) pretest score for correct identification in the normal ECG category improved from 45% (50%) (95% CI 28.9-61.1) to 68% (47%) (95% CI 52.3-82.7) (P= .003). In the abnormal ECG category, correct identification improved from 31% (47%) (95% CI 17.6-44.9) to 83% (5%) (95% CI 72.4-94.3) after the module (P .001).Education of pediatric practitioners on ECG interpretation significantly improves their ability to distinguish normal from abnormal and to identify specific abnormalities. Limitations included small sample size and short-term follow-up.

Objective To measure public library use in a sample of families with young children and examine associations with reading aloud. Study design We interviewed 200 parents of 6- to 18-month-old children visiting a hospital-based pediatric clinic. We assessed public library card ownership, public library visitation, and awareness of public library programming. We assessed reading aloud using the StimQ READ questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic and linear regression to examine associations while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results In multivariable analysis, parents who owned a public library card had greater odds of reading aloud daily to their 6- to 18-month-old child (aOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.8) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.2-1.6). Parents who visited a public library once a month or more often had greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.8-6.7) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0). Parents whose 6- to 18-month-old child had ever visited a public library did not have greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7-2.9), but did have higher StimQ read scores (β = 1.2; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0). Parents who felt informed about available public library programs for children had greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.4-1.9). Conclusion In this sample of families with young children, we found positive associations between public library use and reading aloud.

In a survey of 133 caregivers in a pediatric clinic, 30 women (23%) disclosed domestic violence, with 2 reporting coercive control but not physical violence. Seventeen women stated that a child had been exposed as well. Domestic violence is not a "private" adult problem; further study of an appropriate pediatric-based screener is needed.

Summary A well-accepted pediatric oral suspensionof penicillin V was used to treat respiratory tract infections in eighty-four children observed in a general pediatric clinic practice. The results were quite good. It is concluded that oral penicillin V can be used to treat effectively most of the penicillin-susceptible infections of childhood.

An experimental design permitted comparison of ambulatory pediatric care in a traditional comprehensive clinic with similar care in an experimental clinic emphasizing continuity of physician. The results of a survey of all staff and a sample of patients' mothers indicated that provision of pediatrician continuity yields higher staff and client satisfaction, better patient-practitioner relationships, and greater efficiency. It is suggested that such an arrangement be made a requirement in pediatric clinic programs. Implications of the findings for further research are discussed.

routine health maintenance procedure according to CID/ AAP recommendations, the results of all tests applied should be known. Our study indicates that parents from a low-income population who use an urban pediatric clinic will return a marked card in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If clinic follow-up is added, results of most of the applied tests will be known. Although greater in cost per test applied, the more intensive reporting strategies are the most cost effective per known test results. Once a TBT is applied, we should have a system to ensure that the result is obtained.