A survey of environmental and occupational health needs of GPs.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate general practitioners' experience of the nature and frequency of patient consultations about environmental health matters, and about preferred sources of information to assist in designing continuing medical educational programs in environmental and occupational health. STUDY DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS: 491 randomly selected Victorian GPs were mailed a 16-item questionnaire.

RESULTS

80% of GPs responded to the survey questionnaire. GPs reported that between 1% and 4% of consultations were environmental health related in their average caseload. The commonest environmental health concerns expressed by patients were allergy or chemical sensitivity, outdoor and indoor air quality, asbestos, and fears about exposure to environmental carcinogens. Significant differences in concerns were observed between rural, large town and urban GPs, reflecting the types of exposures encountered in those environments. Seventy-two per cent of GPs said they did not have enough access to information of environmental health, and 55% were prepared to undertake further educational activities. Preferred methods of education included journal articles, CHECK programs and clinical meetings.

CONCLUSIONS

Most GPs see a need for further education and improved access to information and resources to manage patients' environmental health concerns. It is suggested a variety of avenues be utilised to meet the range of preferred ways of learning expressed by GPs.