Health behavior counseling in primary care: provider-reported rate and confidence

This study's purpose was to identify variables associated with primary care providers' self-reported rate of health behavior change counseling and confidence in counseling abilities. Of particular interest was the association of provider personal health behavior with reported rate of counseling and confidence in counseling abilities.

Surveys were mailed to primary care providers. Self-report items assessed rate of health behavior change counseling, perceived importance of counseling, extent of counseling training, confidence in counseling abilities, and clinician personal health behavior.

One hundred providers completed the survey, with 31% reporting difficulty counseling patients on a health behavior that they struggle with themselves. Provider type (eg, nurse or physician) and extent of training in health behavior change counseling were significantly associated with reported rate of counseling in a multiple regression model (adjusted R2=.30). Years in practice, extent of training, and importance of counseling were significantly associated with confidence in counseling in a multiple regression model (adjusted R2=.31).

Some providers report difficulty counseling patients on behaviors that they struggle with themselves. Extent of training in health behavior counseling appears to be particularly important to both provider-reported rate of counseling and confidence to counsel.