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Geriatricians health survey 2000.
D Watts1, E Damasco-Ty, F Ryan
1Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, USA.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|March 14, 2002
Summary
Geriatricians commonly use and recommend vitamins like E, C, and multivitamins. Exercise was the most frequent preventive health behavior observed in this study.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Preventive Healthcare
- Physician Health Behaviors
Background:
- Geriatricians play a crucial role in promoting healthy aging.
- Understanding their personal health behaviors can inform public health initiatives.
- Preventive health practices among physicians are an important area of study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the preventive health behaviors of geriatricians.
- To assess vitamin and supplement use, exercise habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, and weight management among geriatricians.
Main Methods:
- A mailed questionnaire was used to collect data from U.S. geriatricians.
- 1,524 physicians completed the survey, yielding a 58% response rate.
- Data included supplement use, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, and advance directive completion.
Main Results:
- Most geriatricians used at least one vitamin supplement (e.g., Vitamin E, Multivitamin, Vitamin C).
- Over 90% recommended vitamins, with multivitamins, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C being most common.
- Exercise was the most prevalent preventive behavior (88% weekly), while smoking was rare (1%).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin and supplement use is common among geriatricians, though not universal.
- Geriatricians frequently recommend certain vitamins but are less likely to use or recommend other supplements.
- Regular exercise stands out as the most common preventive health behavior among the surveyed geriatricians.