Results of a national survey of physicians' knowledge and application of prevention capabilities.

We used the Comprehensive Prevention Knowledge and Applications Survey Instrument to study health promotion and disease prevention activities of a national sample of 777 family physicians. The study demonstrated active counseling in some areas, such as smoking cessation, but lesser efforts in other aspects, including counseling about smokeless tobacco cessation, seat belt use, sunlight exposure, prevention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and preconceptual counseling. Although respondents thought themselves prepared to counsel about prevention efforts, they reported limited success in changing patients' behavior. The physicians documented frequent application of many prevention techniques, and they noted much more frequent use of mammography than has been reported in prior studies. The survey results indicate the need for modification of medical education programs and for enhancement of ability to change behavior to reduce health risks.