Shoshana H Bardach1, Nancy E Schoenberg2. 1. a University of Kentucky, Graduate Center of Gerontology, College of Public Health and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging , Lexington , Kentucky , USA. 2. b University of Kentucky, College of Public Health and Behavioral Science, College of Medicine , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify older patients' perceptions of primary care providers' influence on their likelihood of improving diet and physical activity. METHODS: 104 adults ages 65 and older were interviewed immediately following a routine primary care visit about their plans and motivations for behavior change and how their clinic visit would influence their likelihood of making lifestyle changes. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. RESULTS: Participants reported that their providers influence their health behaviors by developing strong relationships, addressing concerns and encouraging change, and providing concrete instruction. When providers did not discuss diet or physical activity, or mentioned these topics only briefly, participants often perceived the message that they should continue their current behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Whether and how diet and physical activity are discussed in primary care influences the likelihood that older adults will make changes in these behaviors. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the need for a patient-centered counseling approach and caution providers to think twice before omitting discussion of the need for lifestyle change.
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify older patients' perceptions of primary care providers' influence on their likelihood of improving diet and physical activity. METHODS: 104 adults ages 65 and older were interviewed immediately following a routine primary care visit about their plans and motivations for behavior change and how their clinic visit would influence their likelihood of making lifestyle changes. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. RESULTS:Participants reported that their providers influence their health behaviors by developing strong relationships, addressing concerns and encouraging change, and providing concrete instruction. When providers did not discuss diet or physical activity, or mentioned these topics only briefly, participants often perceived the message that they should continue their current behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Whether and how diet and physical activity are discussed in primary care influences the likelihood that older adults will make changes in these behaviors. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the need for a patient-centered counseling approach and caution providers to think twice before omitting discussion of the need for lifestyle change.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health behavior; lifestyle change; older adults; primary care
Authors: Paul D Thompson; David Buchner; Ileana L Pina; Gary J Balady; Mark A Williams; Bess H Marcus; Kathy Berra; Steven N Blair; Fernando Costa; Barry Franklin; Gerald F Fletcher; Neil F Gordon; Russell R Pate; Beatriz L Rodriguez; Antronette K Yancey; Nanette K Wenger Journal: Circulation Date: 2003-06-24 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: David M Levine; Stella Savarimuthu; Allison Squires; Joseph Nicholson; Melanie Jay Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2014-08-19 Impact factor: 5.128