Perspectives of family medicine physicians on the importance of adolescent preventive care: a multivariate analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe study objective was to identify commonalities amongst family medicine physicians who endorse annual adolescent visits.MethodsA nationally weighted representative on-line survey was used to explore pediatrician (N = 204) and family medicine physicians (N = 221) beliefs and behaviors surrounding adolescent wellness. Our primary outcome was endorsement that adolescents should receive annual preventive care visits.ResultsPediatricians were significantly more likely (p < .01) to endorse annual well visits. Among family medicine physicians, bivariate comparisons were conducted between those who endorsed an annual visit (N = 164) compared to those who did not (N = 57) with significant predictors combined into two multivariate logistic regression models.Model 1 controlled for: patient race, proportion of 13-17 year olds in provider’s practice, discussion beliefs scale and discussion behaviors with parents scale. Model 2 controlled for the same first three variables as well as discussion behaviors with adolescents scale. Model 1 showed for each discussion beliefs scale topic selected, family medicine physicians had 1.14 increased odds of endorsing annual visits (p < .001) and had 1.11 greater odds of endorsing annual visits with each one-point increase in discussion behaviors with parents scale (p = .51). Model 2 showed for each discussion beliefs scale topic selected, family medicine physicians had 1.15 increased odds of also endorsing the importance of annual visits (p < .001).ConclusionsFamily medicine physicians that endorse annual visits are significantly more likely to affirm they hold strong beliefs about topics that should be discussed during the annual exam. They also act on these beliefs by talking to parents of teens about these topics. This group appears to focus on quality of care in thought and deed.

Relationships between nutrition-related knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy among adolescents: A community-based survey

“…Evidence from studies supports the need for incorporating interventions such as screening and customized counseling by primary care physicians for a sustainable solution to the growing malnutrition among adolescents in India. [2425]…”

Autoavaliação de médicos sobre sua formação em Medicina do Adolescente

“…Em relação aos temas abordados na formação pré ou pós-graduada em MA de cada uma das especialidades, apenas houve diferença no tema "puberdade, crescimento e desenvolvimento", mais abordado na formação em Pediatria (Tabela 5). Há estudos mostrando que os adolescentes têm interesse em receber do seu médico assistente cuidados de saúde antecipatórios e preventivos [23][24][25]. Ao avaliar e comparar a percepção dos médicos de Pediatria e MGF quanto à sua abordagem dos adolescentes, os presentes resultados identificaram pontos fortes e fracos em campos diferentes e revelaram de que forma os programas de internato podem ser melhorados para aperfeiçoar o treino na área da MA e ir de encontro às necessidade dos profissionais que atendem este grupo etário.…”