Attitude of GPs to prevention

Overview

Aim:
The aim of the conducted study was to find and describe changes in the occurrence of health risk factors, in people’s attitude to their health and in the role of GPs in prevention which took place from 1997 to 2005, in order to orientate Health Policy of the Liberec region. This report is focused on GPs.

Methods:
The repeated selective survey „Prevention and Health“ was conducted on a representative sample of 1 134 18 – 65-year old citizens from Liberec city. The questionnaire involved these following themes: Frequency and contents of check-ups, risk behaviour and risk factors, subjective health state assessment and social and economic factors. The survey was carried out by 15 trained interviewers.

Results:
In terms of the attitude of GPs the study shows that GPs have improved their attitude to prevention compared to 1997. However, with regards to the expectation of citizens and especially to the importance of prevention the overall level of prevention during check-ups is still low, even in cases of high-risk groups.

Conclusion:
The findings pointing at the dormant primary prevention potential in GPs work make outstanding feedback and form the foundation and new direction for the Liberec region health policy activities within primary care.

Key words:
subjective health state assessment, life style, risk factors, prevention, evaluation of attitude of

GPs to prevention, doctors‘ influence on the style of living, health policy.