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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
04:56
Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
Physicians as food-safety educators: a practices and perceptions survey.
Stephanie Wong1, Ruthanne Marcus, Marguerite Hawkins
1Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. skwong@spawar.navy.mil
Summary
Physicians can prevent millions of foodborne illnesses by educating patients on food safety. Many doctors want to provide this advice but face barriers, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Education
- Food Safety
Background:
- Bacterial foodborne illnesses cause millions of cases annually in the US.
- Public education on food safety is crucial for illness prevention.
- Physicians play a potential role in educating patients about food safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of physicians in food safety education.
- To identify barriers physicians face when providing food safety information.
- To assess physician interest in providing food safety advice.
Main Methods:
- Random selection of physicians (n=3117) within the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.
- Survey administered to physicians regarding food safety education practices and barriers.
- Analysis of physician responses (n=1100) to identify factors influencing education provision.
Main Results:
- Only 30% of responding physicians provided food-safety information to patients.
- A significant majority (68%) of physicians not providing information expressed interest in doing so.
- Physicians were more likely to educate if they viewed foodborne disease as serious, accepted the role, and felt comfortable making recommendations.
Conclusions:
- Physician-led food safety education has the potential to reduce foodborne illnesses.
- Barriers to providing food safety information exist but can be overcome.
- A national physician education campaign could enhance food safety education delivery.
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