This study examined the effects of a pediatric clinic-based intervention program, Reach Out and Read (ROR), on the literacy beliefs and behaviors of caretakers of children ages 9 months to 5 years. Doctors' beliefs about literacy and parent behavior were also examined. Data were collected through structured interviews conducted with 22 caregivers and 5 doctors at the ROR clinic and with 15 caregivers and 2 doctors at 2 non-ROR clinics. At least 85 percent of the caregivers were the mothers of the children involved. Findings suggested that ROR caregivers accepted an expanded definition of the patient/doctor social contract, one that included doctors giving advice about literacy practices, and that ROR caregivers were more likely than non-ROR caregivers to name doctors as a source of information about literacy. Doctors and caregivers had different ideas of what constituted literacy, but had similar ideas about parent responsibilities with regard to literacy. Findings also revealed inconsistencies in doctors' literacy knowledge, awareness of parent practices, and implementation of the program. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/KB)