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Patient information letters on nutrition: development and implementation.
Jaap J van Binsbergen1, Anton J M Drenthen
1Department of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 29, 2003
Summary
Family physicians (FPs) find patient information letters (PILs) valuable but underutilize nutrition guidance due to practical barriers. Integrating PILs into information systems could improve their use.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Communication
- Nutrition Education
Background:
- The Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) developed patient information letters (PILs) based on practice guidelines.
- Five nutritional guidance letters were created in collaboration with the Dutch Nutrition Center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utilization and implementation of patient information letters (PILs) among family physicians (FPs).
- To identify barriers hindering the effective use of nutrition-specific PILs in general practice.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among 200 randomly selected FPs who subscribe to PILs.
- A questionnaire addressed the general use of PILs and specifically the use of nutrition letters.
Main Results:
- 133 FPs (67% response rate) participated; 89% use PILs in practice.
- Only 5% of FPs adequately use nutrition PILs, citing barriers like forgetting, lack of knowledge, time constraints, and poor system integration.
Conclusions:
- Patient information letters (PILs) require time for implementation.
- Integrating PILs into existing Family Practice Information Systems offers significant advantages for their use.