Nutritional knowledge and attitudes of physicians.

Abstract

A closed-end questionnaire, containing fifty-five knowledge questions and twenty attitude statements, was mailed to physicians on the mailing list of the Nebraska Medical Association who expressed a willingness to participate in this study. The data reported are based on the responses of 292 physicians (22 per cent of the total possible sample). Twelve per cent indicated they had received no nutrition education in medical school, either as a specific course or integrated with other subjects. Eighty-eight per cent had access to a clinical dietitian, with 40 per cent reporting frequent use of this service. Physicians answered 65 per cent of the knowledge questions correctly, with a tendency to score higher on basic nutritional knowledge questions than on those relating to therapeutic nutrition. Attitudes toward nutrition were generally favorable. There was a significant negative, though moderate, correlation (r = -0.188) between years in practice and nutritional knowledge. No significant relationship was found between nutritional knowledge and attitude. The findings of this study suggest that nutrition education should be considered as an area for postgraduate courses for physicians. Also, a need for a greater awareness and utilization by physicians of the dietitian's potential as a nutritional consultant is indicated.