Which physicians are best prepared to advise seniors about nutrition? A pilot survey in Israel.
Physicians' knowledge and attitudes can profoundly impact the quality of nutritional care provided to older patients. We assessed physicians' knowledge and attitudes concerning nutritional care for older adults and its correlates. Questionnaires were mailed to 898 physicians in the second largest HMO in Israel: the response rate was 26.5%. Questionnaires assessed aspects of geriatric nutrition, such as food choices, functioning, and medical conditions. Results indicated highest knowledge of nutritional issues for family physicians and for those who were younger (<50 age) and female. Although 68% believed it is important for physicians to explain nutritional issues to older patients, this role was also deemed important for dietitians (83%) and nurses (59%). A variety of factors influencing geriatric nutrition, especially functional and medical conditions, were identified; likewise, nutrition was perceived as influencing various health conditions. Although the low response rate limits generalizability, it appears that physicians in this survey recognized the impact of proper nutrition health and take responsibility for explaining nutrition to their older patients.
Endevelt
Ronit
R
Department of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. rendevelt@univ.haifa.ac.il
Werner
Perla
P
Karpati
Toms
T
Ami
Linsey Ben
LB
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires