Nutrition assessment and counseling practices: attitudes and interests of primary care physicians

This survey examined the nutrition-related practices and office services of primary care physicians, and their preferred nutrition topics and educational methods. Respondents were 960 physicians from across the United States who were members of the Society of General Internal Medicine. A four-page mailed questionnaire with 21 items queried background information, nutrition-related clinical practices and office support systems, perceived self-efficacy for nutrition assessment and counseling, and nutrition-related educational preferences. Two-thirds of the respondents said they personally provided nutrition counseling. They reported moderate self-efficacy for nutrition counseling and lower confidence for using specific relapse prevention strategies. Greatest interest in further education related to chronic disease prevention and nutrition for the elderly, provided in convenient formats for practicing physicians.