Citation
(2010), "GPs want more nutrition information", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 40 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2010.01740eab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
GPs want more nutrition information
Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 40, Issue 5.
Research has revealed that diabetes and obesity are the chronic disease areas which GPs want more information about and that, in order to better advise patients, they also wish to have much greater access to nutrition and diet resources. The survey, carried out by Doctors.net.uk, revealed that over two thirds of doctors with an opinion want to receive nutritional information from food and nutraceutical manufacturers, with three in five requesting online access to that information. When asked about the role that dietary issues play in patient consultation, nearly nine in ten doctors stated that they regularly provide written dietary advice for patients while almost all prescribe oral nutritional supplements.
The frequency with which such consultations take place goes some way to explaining the burgeoning GP workload, with three-fifths of doctors providing dietary advice every month, more than one in eight a few times a week and one in twenty on a daily basis. Similarly, more than half of doctors surveyed regularly prescribe supplements with two in five prescribing a few times a month and one in ten weekly.
Nestlé nutrition is one healthcare manufacturer that has recognised the importance of communicating with doctors on nutritional issues. A three month online campaign recently carried out with Doctors.net.uk to assess attitudes towards its healthcare nutrition resource range, and to build awareness and understanding of the range's benefits, resulted in almost 2,500 doctors engaging with the campaign.