General practitioners' use of health education material. Results from a nationwide survey in Denmark in 1991. The Danish Health Education Study Group.

In November 1991 69% of a random sample of 998 Danish general practitioners (GPs) participated in a survey by anonymously filling in a mailed questionnaire concerning the way in which they use health education in their practices. Among the participating GPs, 97% used health education material. The study showed differences in attitudes towards and use of health education material. The material most often used by GPs at the consultation concerned diet/overweight, allergy and pregnancy. Pamphlets and posters in the waiting room mainly dealt with vaccination, alcohol and smoking. The female practitioners were generally most sympathetic to the use of health education material, but they are also those most critical of material advertising for medicine. The male practitioners thought that there was too much material and that they did not have enough time to use it.