Lifestyle, prevention, change & support : the views & attitudes of patients in Maltese family practice

Abstract

Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) are advised to consider their patients' views and attitudes in order to facilitate the success of preventive and health promotion interventions. This study explored patients’ views and beliefs about the importance of lifestyle and preventive interventions, and assessed their readiness to make lifestyle changes and to receive support from GPs. Methodology: Ten Maltese GP practices participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted by the European Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in Family Medicine/General Practice across 22 European countries during 2008-9. From each practice, 40 consecutive patients stratified by gender and age (10 males and 10 females aged 30-49 years, and 10 males and 10 females aged 50-70 years) were asked to complete a purposely- designed and piloted questionnaire. Results: Seventy-seven per cent of smokers, ~60% of unhealthy eaters, inadequate exercisers and those with abnormal weight, but only 11% of excessive drinkers thought they needed to improve their unhealthy lifestyles. Thirteen per cent of smokers, 30% of excessive drinkers, and ~50% of patients with problems of diet, exercise and weight were confident they would succeed. Sixty per cent of patients with diet, exercise and weight problems, 50% of smokers and just 8% of excessive drinkers would have liked GPs’ support. Conclusion: GPs and healthcare professionals need to discuss risky lifestyles with patients to help them personalise such risks, and should offer their support to those wishing to change so as to improve their confidence and chances of success. Such discussion and support are especially important for excessive drinkers.