Primary care physicians practicing preventive medicine in the outpatient setting

Abstract

Background:Preventive care is an important part of primary care medicine, yet much variation in its practice exists. The aim of this study is to assess physicians’ perspectives of practicing preventive medicine and evaluate which topics are deemed most important.Methods:All primary care medicine providers at two separate academic medical centers (Mayo Clinic, MN and Mayo Clinic, FL) were surveyed via an E-mail questionnaire assessing physicians’ perception of the role of preventive medicine during both acute/routine and yearly visits, physicians’ perception of patients’ response to preventive medicine topics, and which preventive medicine topics are commonly practiced.Results:Of 445 providers meeting inclusion criteria, a total of 183 (41.1%) responded. Providers were more likely to engage patients in preventive medicine during yearly visits more so than acute visits (3.82 vs. 4.72, range 1–5 Likert Scale), yet providers were very likely to partake in such practices during both visits. Providers perceived that patients received the practice of preventive medicine very well (4.13 on 1–5 Likert Scale). No significant difference between provider practice and patient perception was noted between the two sites, although there was some variation based on clinical experience of the provider. Providers were found to most commonly practice topics recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.Conclusions:Our study found a high predisposition to practicing preventive medicine. Providers seem to practice according to published evidence-based medicine recommendations.

A Multicenter Focus Group Analysis of Medicare Beneficiaries Perception of Annual Wellness Visits

“…Short allotted visit times by providers could impact the ability to create a comprehensive preventive health plan for patients during these visits. 10 There is evidence of inadequate delivery of preventive care services with standard office visits. 11,12 The services offered in AWVs offer a bridge to the gaps in preventive care, which are difficult to complete during a standard PCP office appointment.…”

Social and cultural construction processes involved in HPV vaccine hesitancy among Chinese women: a qualitative study

“…As majority of the primary care service is provided by the private healthcare system in Hong Kong [13], distrust on private practice doctors along with lack of the family doctor system has contributed to a weak doctor–patient relationship. In the absence of trust between doctors and patients, doctors can feel hesitant to suggest vaccination, which is an additional service that does not fit within the clinical norms in Hong Kong, though preventive care is an important element of primary care [55]. Healthcare practice in Hong Kong mainly focuses on curative treatment.…”

Practical recommendations for timely, accurate diagnosis of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (MCI and dementia) in primary care: a review and synthesis

“…For cognitively normal individuals at risk, epidemiologic research indicates that one‐third to one‐half of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors and may therefore be preventable [ 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 ] with improvements in education, exercise, cognitive stimulation, nutrition, health care and reduced tobacco use, along with reductions in or better control of vascular risk factors [ 66 , 112 ]. An emphasis on preventive care is a defining feature of primary care, already well established in everyday clinical practice [ 3 , 113 ].…”