Association of Primary Care Providers Health Habits with Lifestyle Counseling to Hypertensive Elderly Patient: Results of a National Survey

We were interested in studying the association between personal health habits of healthcare providers and their beliefs and practices of lifestyle counseling to elderly hypertensive patients. We conducted a national anonymous cross sectional survey of physicians and nurse practitioners providing primary care. The survey was developed to assess providers’ beliefs and practices of lifestyle counseling as well as personal habits. Beliefs about counseling were assessed by (a) perceived available time, (b) perceived skill, and (c) perceived effectiveness of lifestyle counseling. Reported lifestyle counseling practice were assessed by reported frequency of (a) obtaining lifestyle habits and (b) providing lifestyle counseling to elderly hypertensive patients. We mailed 7,500 mailed surveys and received 774. Providers who reported healthier lifestyle habits reported that they more frequently obtain lifestyle history (p=.004) and provide lifestyle counseling (p<.001). These providers also more frequently believed that counseling was effective (<.001), that they had available time to provide counseling (p=.008), and that they were skilled in counseling (p<.001) independent of other factors. Providers with healthier habits reported more frequent lifestyle counseling and positive beliefs about counseling. Programs that would improve health habits in primary care providers may improve lifestyle counseling to elderly hypertensive patients. © 2006 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved.