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Published on: August 1, 2019
Health behavior counseling at annual exams
1Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, 1836 South Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
Summary
High-risk patients expect and desire health behavior discussions during annual exams. These conversations motivate them to modify behaviors like weight management and smoking cessation.
Area of Science:
- Preventive Medicine
- Health Behavior Research
- Patient-Physician Communication
Background:
- Annual exams are key opportunities for preventive care.
- Patient engagement in health behavior discussions can improve outcomes.
- Understanding patient expectations is crucial for effective counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess patient expectations and desires for health behavior discussions during annual exams.
- To determine if these discussions motivate high-risk patients to change behaviors.
- To identify patient groups most likely to engage in and benefit from such discussions.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 1213 patients attending annual exams.
- Patients reported on discussions regarding weight, exercise, tobacco use, and stress.
- Key questions addressed whether discussions were expected, desired, and motivating.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of high-risk patients engaged in relevant health behavior discussions.
- Patients with higher risks (obesity, smoking, stress) were more likely to expect and desire discussions.
- Obese and overweight patients reported increased motivation for weight management.
Conclusions:
- Patients requiring weight, smoking, and stress management counseling actively seek and expect these discussions.
- These discussions serve as a motivator for behavior modification in at-risk populations.
- Annual exams are a viable platform for initiating and reinforcing health behavior change.
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