Re: Training practitioners in primary care to deliver lifestyle advice
Delivering effective lifestyle advice is one of the more important, difficult and obscure aspects of a GP's job. Behavioural patterns become fixed as individuals age. As a rule of thumb most people are very unlikely to change behaviour to a significant degree after the age of 30 unless compelled to do so by overwhelming external pressures.
By contrast youth is malleable as allegedly known to the Jesuits: "Give me a child until he is seven"....... It may be a waste of time attempting to alter dysfunctional behaviour in older individuals.
And yet GPs keep trying. One factor which this article omits is the nature of the relationship between the giver of advice and its recipient. It is common knowledge in general practice that a prolonged positive therapeutic relationship with the patient makes it more likely that a doctor's advice will be followed. Perhaps like French wine, GPs can improve with age.
Competing interests:
Ex professional interest in improving community physical, mental and social health.
Rapid Response:
Re: Training practitioners in primary care to deliver lifestyle advice
Delivering effective lifestyle advice is one of the more important, difficult and obscure aspects of a GP's job. Behavioural patterns become fixed as individuals age. As a rule of thumb most people are very unlikely to change behaviour to a significant degree after the age of 30 unless compelled to do so by overwhelming external pressures.
By contrast youth is malleable as allegedly known to the Jesuits: "Give me a child until he is seven"....... It may be a waste of time attempting to alter dysfunctional behaviour in older individuals.
And yet GPs keep trying. One factor which this article omits is the nature of the relationship between the giver of advice and its recipient. It is common knowledge in general practice that a prolonged positive therapeutic relationship with the patient makes it more likely that a doctor's advice will be followed. Perhaps like French wine, GPs can improve with age.
Competing interests: Ex professional interest in improving community physical, mental and social health.