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The preventive medicine physician: a national study.
R J Pearson1, W M Kane, H K Keimowitz
1Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Preventive medicine specialists engage in clinical activities, challenging prior assumptions. This flexible specialty integrates community and individual patient care approaches.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- The Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee report questioned the clinical nature of preventive medicine.
- Physicians self-designated as preventive medicine specialists were surveyed to assess their practice characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of clinical practice among preventive medicine specialists.
- To understand the role of prevention in their daily work and career paths.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 942 preventive medicine physicians.
- Response rate was 44% (419 physicians) after three reminders, covering general preventive medicine, public health, occupational, and aerospace medicine subspecialties.
Main Results:
- Seventy percent of respondents reported engaging in clinical activities weekly.
- Preventive medicine physicians practice in diverse settings and perceive their approach as distinct due to a focus on prevention.
- The specialty offers flexibility, with many physicians changing subspecialties throughout their careers.
Conclusions:
- Preventive medicine is a clinical specialty practiced across various settings.
- Physicians in this field effectively integrate community health and individual patient care.
- The specialty demonstrates significant flexibility and adaptability in practice and career trajectories.