Physician reported competence in treating obese patients, overall and by years since completing medical school, N (%)
| Years since completing medical school | p Value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall N=500 | <20 N=277 | 20+N=223 | ||
| Competent giving exercise-related counselling to obese patients | 462 (92) | 258 (93) | 204 (92) | 0.68 |
| Competent giving diet-related counselling to obese patients | 450 (90) | 252 (91) | 198 (89) | 0.54 |
| Usually successful in helping obese patients lose weight | 218 (44) | 137 (49) | 81 (36) | 0.02 |
| Primary care physicians are the ‘most qualified’ professional to help obese patients | 196 (39) | 115 (41) | 82 (37) | 0.40 |
Source: Survey of General Practitioners, Family Practitioners and General Internists between 9 February and 1 March 2011.
Notes: p Values are for t tests for differences in proportions. The mean year medical school was completed is 1993.