Building a pathway to better health

Abstract

Physicians are often accused of being insufficiently interested in promotion and maintenance of good health. While there may be some truth to this charge, many physicians within the past decade have become much more acutely aware of the importance of their role as promoters of health and are seeking ways to improve their skills for serving this function. Recognizing the growing interest in this field, POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE introduces a series of articles on health promotion. In this first article, Dr Fletcher presents the rationale for health promotion by the primary care physician and provides specific how-to-do-it suggestions. Subsequent topics will include approaches to problems such as smoking cessation and stress management.—R.B.H.