RT Journal
A1 Fang J, Cogswell ME, Keenan NL, Merritt RK
T1 PRimary health care providers' attitudes and counseling behaviors related to dietary sodium reduction
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD January 9
VO 172
IS 1
SP 76
OP 78
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.620
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2011.620
AB 
High sodium intake is associated with increased blood pressure.1 Average sodium intake among US adults far exceeds recommendations.2 Primary care physicians and nurse practitioners are the first line of medical care and can influence opinions and behaviors of their patients.3- 4 Although some information exists about perceived advice from health professionals related to sodium reduction,5 little is known about health care providers' own perceptions about sodium intake and patient counseling behaviors about reducing sodium intake. We used data from DocStyles, a Web-based survey of health care providers. Participants included health care providers who practiced in the United States; worked in an individual, group, or hospital setting; and had practiced medicine for a minimum of 3 years. In 2010, family/general practitioners (FGPs), internists, and nurse practitioners were asked questions on sodium. Response rates were 45.2% for FGPs and internists combined and 52.6% for nurse practitioners.