OBJECTIVES:To document and assess Israeli family physicians' (FPs) knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the management of overweight and obesity. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires were completed by 510 family physicians (82% compliance rate). The questionnaires were distributed in various continuous medical education sites of FPs in Israel. The measures included attitudes to and resources of knowledge on weight management, views regarding the prescription of drugs, approaches to and strategies recommended for weight loss. RESULTS: In all, 73% of FPs viewed weight management as important and reported that they often treated cases of overweight and obesity, including for patients without concomitant risk factors. The medical advice most frequently offered is: increase physical activity, decrease number of total calories (eat less) and consultation with a dietitian (95, 81 and 58% respectively). However, most responders (72%) believed that they had limited efficacy in treating obesity and considered themselves not well prepared by medical school to treat overweight patients. Some 60% reported feeling that they have insufficient knowledge regarding nutritional issues. Regarding pharmacotherapy for treating obesity, only 66% knew the drugs' prescription indications. However, the vast majority (87%) knew about the gradual increase of weight after stopping drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge gaps and ambivalent attitudes toward obesity management were found. More education focusing on obesity, from medical school to post-graduate learning, seems warranted based on these findings.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are common. The etiologic factor is usually viral, but many physicians prescribe antibiotics. We aimed to evaluate parents' expectations of and knowledge about the role of antibiotics in childhood URTI.

Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine is as widespread in Israel as in other Western countries. Utilization rates were found to be associated with age and education but not with gender or origin.

This study examines the characteristics of physician-patient-caregiver encounters in the presence of dementia and how sociodemographic and professional characteristics of family physicians, and severity of symptoms in patients with dementia affect these encounters. Phone interviews were conducted with 141 Israeli-Jewish family physicians (representing a 66% response rate), who were presented with one of two vignettes describing a 76-year old women with dementia. The two vignettes were identical, except that in the first it was stated that the woman sits quietly and cooperates during the examination whereas in the second she is agitated and uncooperative. Participants were asked to what extent they would ask questions to, inform and involve the patient and caregiver respectively when presented with one of the two vignettes. Findings showed that physicians would address the caregiver more than the patient (both with respect to questions, information and involvement). Moreover, it was found that physicians, who were older and had a higher number of years in the profession, would address the caregiver to a higher degree (compared to the patient) than younger and less experienced physicians. Findings provide direction for understanding medical encounters in the presence of dementia. Theoretical implications for dementia care, for medical encounters, and practical implications are discussed.

Research is essential to family medicine with regard to both primary care practice and academic activities, its development, however, has been inhibited. Given the results of this preliminary study, family medicine residency programs would be well advised to assign a research mentor to every resident; also, time and resources should be devoted to research in postgraduate training programs. Perhaps more important, women physicians in Israel should be encouraged to participate more actively in research, and support for them in their special needs should be made available.