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Biomedical subjects

C M Valente

Publications and source records attributed to C M Valente.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Reported practices, attitudes, and confidence levels of primary care physicians regarding patients who abuse alcohol and other drugs.

The American Medical Association recommends that physicians screen all patients for alcohol and other drug abuse so that substance-abusing patients can be referred for appropriate treatment. A 1991 survey of primary care physicians in Baltimore and Cumberland revealed that only 41% routinely screened their patients for alcohol problems and only 20% screened for other drug problems. These levels, as well as the levels at which Maryland physicians counsel, refer, and otherwise treat substance-abusing patients, are well below levels recommended by the AMA. The role that attitudes, confidence, and education play in determining physicians' practice patterns in regard to substance abuse is explored.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1992

Physician estimates of substance abuse in Baltimore and Cumberland: 1991.

By identifying and counseling substance abusers within their own practices, primary care physicians can play a major role in reducing levels of substance abuse. How proficient area physicians are in identifying substance abuse is examined by comparing physician estimates of substance abuse in their patient populations with local and national statistics.

Baltimore↗
PubMed1988

Self-reported referral patterns in practices of family/general practitioners, internists, and obstetricians/gynecologists.

A profile of referrals can help to define the characteristics of a physician's practice. Self-reported referral patterns in the practices of Family/General Practitioners (FP/GP), Internists (IM), and Obstetricians/Gynecologists (OB/GYN) in Maryland were assessed with a questionnaire mailed to an area sample of 1,715 physicians. A 65% response rate was obtained after three mailings (weighted N = 1,487). Self-reported referrals received per month averaged 16% of patients seen (six percent FP/GP, 13% OB/GYN, 23% IM), and were more frequent among self-employed, younger, metropolitan and female physicians who spent less time in patient care. Self-reported referrals made per month averaged ten percent (10% FP/GP), 11% IM, and eight percent OB/GYN), and were higher for physicians in metropolitan areas. The correlation between percentage referrals received and percentage referrals made was r = .19 (r = .03 FP/GP, r = .21 IM, r = .25 OB/GYN). Self-reported practice referral patterns are similar to referrals reported in prior studies, and can be used to consider specialty differences in referral behavior of physicians.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1985

Physicians' beliefs about the importance of 25 health promoting behaviors.

A mail survey of 1,040 primary care physicians in Maryland examined their beliefs about the importance of 25 behaviors for promoting the health of the average person. Physician consensus existed across specialties in rating most health behaviors as very important and few as very unimportant. Eliminating smoking was most important and taking vitamin supplements least important.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health promotion: physicians' beliefs, attitudes, and practices.

There is a paucity of research describing the health-promotion beliefs, attitudes, and practices of physicians. Self-reported data from a survey of 1,040 primary care physicians showed that a majority of physicians (97 percent) believed they should modify patients' behaviors to minimize risk factors and rated a variety of health behaviors as important in promoting health. While most physicians gathered information about risk factors and believed they were prepared to counsel patients, only a small percentage (3-18 percent) reported being very successful in helping patients achieve behavioral change. However, given appropriate support, physicians reported that they could be up to six times more successful in influencing behavioral change. This study indicated that physicians have strong beliefs and interests in health promotion, are interested in continuing education about health promotion topics, and desire a variety of new skills to help patients modify their health behaviors.

Age Factors↗