Health promotion and older people: a qualitative study of general practitioners' views.
OBJECTIVE
To explore general practitioners' (GPs') beliefs about health promotion for older people and attitudes towards educational strategies likely to improve practice in this area.


METHODS
Four discussion groups, each lasting one and a half hours, completed in Melbourne, Australia in August and September 1995. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed for major themes.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 20 GPs took part; 11 university affiliates, four participant contacts and five GPs from telephone book listings.


RESULTS
GPs' perceptions of their health promotion practice varied from "integrated into all medical care", to "something separate from usual practice". Positive views of older people contrasted with ageist views, with a few GPs expressing a nihilistic approach to medical care of older people. Regardless of the GPs' attitudes, lack of time and reimbursement disincentives were perceived to limit preventive practice and the potential impact of health promotion interventions. GPs felt overwhelmed with their workloads, and initial reactions to the idea of any "new" program were negative. Reactions to educational strategies varied, with choice and relevance to ease of practice being important for GP participation.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs differ in their views of health promotion and in their approaches to its delivery for older people. Educational programs are often viewed negatively, but if they offer the opportunity to save time, increased participation may be more likely.
Kerse
N M
NM
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Melbourne, VIC. n.kerse@phcm.unimelb.edu.au
Murphy
M J
MJ
Flicker
L
L
Young
D
D
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011314:Preventive Health Services