A model for predicting the counseling practices of physicians |
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Authors: | Dr Charles E Lewis MD ScD Kenneth B Wells MD John Ware PhD |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, 90024 Los Angeles, CA |
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Abstract: | The authors present a conceptual model of the determinants of the counseling practices of physicians and an empirical test
of the model. Seventy-six per cent of a 50% random sample of physicians in a western county medical society completed a questionnaire
(n=151). This instrument measures the aggressiveness, the indications and techniques used by physicians in counseling patients
about smoking, exercise, weight control and alcohol use. The independent variables assessed by this instrument are motivations,
perceived skills and barriers, medical specialty, and personal health habits. Significant associations were found between
the counseling practices reported and physicians’ personal health habits, attitudes and specialties. Non-surgeons counseled
more patients, counseled more intensively, and used a greater variety of techniques than surgeons and obstetrician-gynecologists.
In general, physicians who had poor health habits did not fully counsel patients about those habits; however, physicians attempting
to improve poor habits counseled patients significantly more often than physicians who were not trying to change their own
behavior. Health maintenance efforts among physicians may have a multiplier effect.
Received from the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine, and the Rand Corporation, Santa Monica,
California.
Supported in part by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The opinions and conclusions expressed in the text are
those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation. |
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Keywords: | counseling practices conceptual model preventive medicine |
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