 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Susanne B Montgomery, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (909) 558-8745, smontgomry@sph.llu.edu, Elvin A. Hernandez, MPH, CHES, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Virginia Diane Woods, RN, MSN, School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Ave, Loma Linda, CA 92350, and Stuart M. Belle, MPH, Health Education & Promotion, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Ave, Loma Linda, CA 92350.
Introduction: Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to reach patients in ways that can effect preventive action. However, the literature indicates that there are many missed opportunities for communicating effective prevention messages in clinical settings, and where communication does occur, it is sometimes limited or occurs in a manner that is often not definitive. This is especially true given the varying recommendations for prostate cancer screening and early detection. Aim: To describe self-reported patterns of physician communication with their African American male patients about prostate cancer prevention, and explore important factors associated with physician communication about this issue. Methods: We administered a multi-item survey to a cohort of 100 primary care physicians to understand patterns of communication and concerns about discussing prostate cancer prevention. Multinomial logistic regression models explored whether personal factors, experience, patient preference, or medical practice exist as determinants of physician communication about this issue. Results: 50% of physicians surveyed reported discussing prostate cancer screening and early detection most often when medically indicated. In addition, approximately 45% of physicians reported discussing this issue with men in general, and Black men over 40 years old. Most physicians (74%) indicated that the main barrier they believe existed which keep other health care providers from offering regular prostate cancer screening was that patients do not request prostate cancer screening.Discussion: Understanding the factors associated with physician communication about prostate cancer prevention, particularly with African American men, can provide important clues to facilitating improved health education approaches for health care providers.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Communication, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.