How Does Physician Advice Influence Patient Behavior?: Evidence for a Priming Effect

Abstract

Findings support an integrated model of disease prevention in which physician advice is a catalyst for change and is supported by a coordinated system of information and activities that can provide the depth of detail and individualization necessary for sustained behavioral change.

The impact of repeated spirometry and smoking cessation advice on smokers with mild COPD

“…A large proportion of all smokers are in the stage of contemplation or the stage of preparation [22]. Smoking cessation advice or other interventions appear to have their effect by triggering a quitting attempt [23] and this might explain why as many as 18% of the smokers with COPD stopped smoking within the first year.…”

Discordant Documentation of Obesity Body Mass Index and Obesity Diagnosis in Electronic Medical Records

“…Physicians have a significant role in diagnosing and counseling patients with obesity, as their recommendations are an integral initial step in the process to address weight loss through increased physical activity and attention to nutrition. 12,13 Several studies [14][15][16] have demonstrated that physicians often fail to identify, diagnose and manage obesity. In turn, physicians often fail to recommend or refer obese patients to evidencebased treatment.…”

They think they know but do they? Misalignment of perceptions of lifestyle modification knowledge among health professionals

“…Additionally there have been numerous reports that counselling provided by these health professionals can be effective in bringing about lifestyle changes (49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57) . Yet studies in countries such as England, Canada and the USA have demonstrated that health professionals' knowledge of lifestyle modification is not always ideal, as they may have a low level of nutrition knowledge (58)(59)(60)(61) .…”