Clinician Experiences With Reach Out and Read: An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis

The Effect of Exposure to Reach Out and Read on Shared Reading Behaviors

BACKGROUND

Caregiver-child shared reading improves literacy skills, school readiness, familial relationships, and social-emotional development. This multiyear study seeks to evaluate the effect of exposure to Reach Out and Read (ROR) on caregiver reading frequency and behaviors.

METHODS

Caregivers of children 6 months to 5 years in 427 primary care clinics in North and South Carolina were asked to complete the Reach Out and Read Parent Feedback Survey. Caregivers not previously exposed to ROR were categorized as "new," and those who had previously been exposed to ROR as "returning" to compare reading behaviors between groups.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2019, caregivers completed 100,656 surveys. Returning caregivers were more likely to report reading or looking at books every day (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.22-1.33). Returning caregivers were more likely to perform behaviors like letting the child turn pages (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.62-1.79), making up stories about the pictures (AOR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.39-1.53), asking what is happening in the pictures (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.32-1.47), helping identify things in the pictures (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.50-1.65), reading to the child 30 minutes every day (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.33-1.46), and taking the child to the library (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.20-1.34).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows a significant association between caregivers' exposure to ROR, high-frequency reading, and positive reading behaviors, and is consistent for all 6 years studied.retain-->.

Reach Out and Read Implementation: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is an evidence-based literacy promotion intervention that leverages the near-universal access to children of primary care practices to promote optimal child development. While several studies document ROR's effectiveness, its implementation remains understudied.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review examines the existing literature to better understand ROR implementation.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, ProQuest Education Database, and CINAHL.

STUDY SELECTION

We included peer-reviewed English-language papers focusing on ROR in an ambulatory setting in North America.

DATA EXTRACTION

Extracted variables were informed by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist and included publication year, title, author(s), clinic location, study design, study aim, ROR implementation, modifications, implementation assessment, barriers, facilitators, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Seventy-one papers were included, of which 43 were research articles. We identified substantial variation in ROR implementation including differences in components delivered. A considerable number of research articles did not assess ROR implementation. The most common barriers to ROR implementation were at the system level (ie, financing and inadequate time). Modifications and enhancements to ROR are emerging; most address barriers at the clinician and family level.

LIMITATIONS

This review was limited to published English language papers focusing on ROR.

CONCLUSIONS

ROR implementation varies across studies, and many did not assess implementation. Consistent reporting and assessment of ROR implementation could create opportunities to better understand the mechanisms underlying ROR's effects and inform other early childhood interventions that seek to promote optimal development at the population level.

A Mixed-Methods Investigation Examining Site-Level Variation in Reach Out and Read Implementation

OBJECTIVE

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is an evidence-based early childhood intervention that has been implemented at scale, yet description of ROR implementation is inconsistent. This study engages implementation science to examine ROR delivery and site-level variation.

METHODS

As part of an ongoing clinical trial, we conducted a mixed-methods study in 3 community health centers (CHCs) that serve low-income Latino families. We integrated quantitative parent survey data, qualitative data from monthly key informant interviews with ROR site leaders over 1 year, and in-depth interviews with 18 additional clinicians. At enrollment, parents reported whether they received a children's book, guidance on reading, and modeling from clinicians. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data iteratively engaging emergent and a priori codes drawn from the Template for Intervention Description and Replication Checklist.

RESULTS

Three hundred Latino parents (mean age: 31; 75% ≤HS education) completed surveys. The mean child age was 8 months. Overall, most parents reported receiving a book (84%) and guidance (73%), but fewer experienced modeling (23%). Components parents received varied across CHCs. Two themes emerged to explain the variation observed: 1) differences in the perceived purpose of shared reading and book delivery aligned with variation in implementation, and 2) site-level barriers affected what components were implemented.

CONCLUSION

Because of substantive variation in ROR implementation across sites, systematic descriptions using established frameworks and corresponding measurement to characterize ROR implementation may enhance our understanding of mechanisms underlying ROR's effects, which clinicians and policymakers can use to maximize ROR's impact.

Clinician Perceptions on Literacy Promotion in Pediatric Continuity Clinics

OBJECTIVE

We describe LP perceptions of pediatric and internal medicine/pediatrics residents and faculty and determine the relationship between LP training and perceptions of LP. Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a widely implemented evidence-based literacy promotion (LP) intervention. Recent data have shown that there is variability in both LP training for pediatric residents and implementation of ROR. However, little is known about the perceptions regarding LP and the relationship with training.

METHODS

Faculty and residents at participating sites completed an anonymous online survey on LP perceptions and training. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 473 faculty and 1216 residents at 42 pediatric training programs participated. Faculty versus resident status was a significant predictor of almost all perception questions. Most faculty (65.3%) and residents (44.3%) completely agreed that it is the job of pediatricians to assess and encourage reading (P < .0001). Most faculty (69.6%) and residents (51.5%) completely agreed that LP is as important as advice about car seats, bike helmets, and "back-to-sleep" (P < .0001). More faculty (65.8%) than residents (46.6%) completely agreed with the statement "discussing sharing books with children at health supervision visits can be an effective early intervention strategy" (P < .0001). More faculty (34%) compared to residents (18.2%) completely agreed they felt confident modeling reading for parents during the visit (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Faculty status predicted most favorable LP perceptions, while continuity clinic training and learning in-clinic from others predicted some favorable LP perceptions.