Acceptability and Understanding of the ASQ-3TM as part of the Healthy Child Programme Two-year health and development review in England: Parent and professional perspectives

Background: The Healthy Child Programme is the universal public health system in England to assess and monitor child health from 0-19. Following a review of measures for closer monitoring at ages two years, the Department of Health for England implemented the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3™) (Hereon, ASQ-3). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and understanding of the ASQ-3 in England by health professionals and parents. Method: A mixed methods approach was used. This paper reports on the qualitative data drawn from interviews with 40 parents and 12 focus groups with 85 health professionals. The data were analysed using applied thematic analysis. Findings: Overall, parents and health professionals found the ASQ-3 acceptable and understandable and could use it as a measure at age two years. The ability to work in partnership was valued. Some limitations included potential to cause anxiety, concerns around the safety of some of the items and use of Americanised language. Health professional’s training in the use the ASQ-3 was inconsistent. Conclusion: The ASQ-3 is an acceptable and understandable measure to use as part of the two-year assessment with some adaptations to the English context and some standardised training for health professionals.