title: [French general practitioners and electromagnetic fields].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the perception of risk of general practitioners (GPs) about electromagnetic fields (EMF), their sources of information, as well as their patients' level of concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred French GPs were selected according to the quotas method. They were asked to answer 24 items via an electronic questionnaire using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GPs know the main EMF sources: cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens and WiFi networks. Patients mostly complain or worry about the first three sources and ask their GP for information about these. GPs themselves search for information in the mainstream media rather than in the usual scientific and medical press. As a consequence, their knowledge about potential risks of EMF is deemed rather crude.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GPs are sensitive to environmental concerns, particularly regarding EMF exposure. However, according to the results analysis, they do not have the same approach because of an obvious lack of mastery in a complex and poorly informed situation. A serious educational effort is essential and would be welcomed by practitioners, who are aware of their responsibilities in terms of counseling, diagnosis and care.
authors: Service des études médicales, EDF - DRH Groupe, 45, rue Kléber, 92309 Levallois-Perret cedex, France.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Lambrozo
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Souques
authors: Fabrice
authors: F
authors: Bourg
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Guillaume
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Perrin
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D040421:Cell Phone; D003296:Cooking / Q000295:instrumentation; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004559:Electric Wiring / Q000009:adverse effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005602:France; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D058980:Information Literacy; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D059015:Wireless Technology