Effects of training in patient education on attitudes and behaviors of family practice residents.

The attitudes of 24 family practice residents toward patient education and perceptions of their own efficacy as patient educators were measured before and after they underwent a special patient education training program. Their scores were compared to those of 34 family practice residents who did not have access to the program. Study group residents showed positive changes in attitudes, reported behaviors, and problems, while the comparison group showed no changes in any of the categories. The differences were statistically significant for the behaviors and problems but not for the attitudes data.