Although 83 percent of Americans are looking to make a change in their diet and exercise in 2015, fewer than half (43 percent) will consult their physician to guide such changes.
According to a Family Medicine for America's Health survey of 1,000 adults, Americans put most trust in their physicians to provide information and advice on healthy behavior. However, most often they turn to online sources, which they trust at a much lower rate.
"The patient-physician partnership is a powerful yet underutilized tool in adopting healthy behaviors," said Glen Stream, MD, chair of Family Medicine for America's Health board of directors. "By empowering patients to directly and positively affect their health, primary care doctors can provide the right tools and ongoing, personalized support to adopt and sustain healthy habits. Expanding access to and use of primary care in this country can help put the health back in healthcare."
According to the survey report, Dr. Stream said the key to addressing the growing rates of chronic disease in the U.S. is putting more emphasis on primary care, where physicians can offer credible support for health behaviors.