Perspectives on lifestyle intervention: The views of general practitioners who have taken part in a health promotion study

Aim: A study was carried out to discover the views of Danish general practitioners on the possibility of intervening in their patients' lifestyles in general and on the obstacles to doing so, based on their experience of participating in a health promotion study. Method: A focus group interview was conducted with five general practitioners who had participated in "The Ebeltoft Health Promotion Study" to assess their views on their preventive role. Results: The general practitioners have internalized the view advanced by society and the medical profession that they have an important role to play in preventing lifestyle-related illness. However, they are sceptical about the effectiveness of intervention and have ethical concerns about giving lifestyle advice. They are also somewhat irritated by the fact that patients are chiefly interested in having their health checked, rather than in following up by changing their behaviour. The general practitioners differ in their views as to when, and how actively, they should initiate discussions with individual patients to encourage them to change their lifestyles. Conclusions: If the medical profession and those responsible for overall health policy wish to make general practitioners change their behaviour towards their patients, it is important that they understand the aims, values, and working conditions of general practitioners that underlie their present attitudes and behaviour.