Background and aims This study was conducted as the second phase in the development of the Parent Paediatrician Partnership Scale (PPPS). Our objective was to identify the latent factor structure among thirty-two items relating to partnership between parents and paediatricians and identify the parent/child characteristics that were associated with each factor.

Methods Thirty-two items relating to partnership were administered to three-hundred and twenty five parents. The sample population was White (70.4%), had a family income of over $35,000 (50.6%), had at least some college education (70.4%), and the index child was male (61.3%). About one-half of the parents were interviewed in a community practice (n = 157; 48.3%) and the remainder in sub-specialty clinics located in a children’s hospital (n = 168; 51.7%). The 32 items were entered in a factor analysis that produced five clearly defined factors.

Results The factors included Parental Involvement (PI, 4 items), Paediatrician Sensitivity (PS, 7 items), Communication (Co, 4 items), Access (Ac, 2 items) and a broad Comprehensive factor (BC, 13 items). Parent/child characteristics and their use of the practice or clinic were examined for their bivariate relationships with each factor. Although several characteristics were associated with factors, setting (community practice or sub-specialty clinic) was the most robust characteristic, associated with four of five factors.

Conclusion Partnership between parents and their children’s paediatrician involves several elements, including a paediatrician’s willingness to provide a parent with the opportunity to be involved and a paediatrician’s ability to have a non-judgmental attitude, treat parent and child with dignity, and have sensitivity to a parent’s moods.