Health promotion/disease prevention in family practice residency training: results of a national survey.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patient screening criteria for health promotion/disease prevention have become widely available in recent years, but their effect on day-to-day practice has been somewhat limited, highlighting the importance of emphasizing health promotion in family practice residency training. METHODS: To determine the extent and content of health promotion education in residency curricula and perceived shortcomings in this area, we conducted a survey of all 386 accredited family practice residency programs in the United States and Puerto Rico in February and April 1991, with a response rate of 80%. Program directors completed a two-page questionnaire on curriculum coverage of health promotion, subject areas included, and resources used. RESULTS: The survey found that 88% of residencies had a formal health promotion curriculum, with the most common topics being immunization protocols and hyperlipidemia and the least common topics being behavior change and compliance. American Academy of Family Physicians materials are the most common resources available in residencies, but the most frequently used is the US Preventive Services Task Force Report. Use of the latter resource varies by geographic location. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that health promotion education is part of virtually all family practice residency training programs but also shows that use of available resources varies and that program directors find it difficult to help residents incorporate health promotion into day-to-day medical practice.