Teaching preventive cardiology through community programs.

Entering medical students currently report positive attitudes toward the concept of preventive cardiology but express a lack of confidence in the physician's ability to change unhealthful habits of their patients. One approach to this problem has been the involvement of medical students and house staff physicians in cardiovascular health programs offered in the community. With the goal of enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of the trainees, these programs have been carried out in educational institutions at all levels, in churches, and at work sites, shopping malls, and health fairs. Informal assessment of these programs suggests that medical trainees develop an increased sense of confidence in their ability to influence positively the health habits of children and adults.