Doctors often feel they are too busy to promote healthy lifestyles among their patients, according to a study published in the Malta Medical Journal.

The study found that 45 per cent of doctors interviewed said that the main barrier to the implementation of health promotion activities was their heavy workload – which left them no time to dedicate to it.

In order to address this, the researchers suggested setting up specialised clinics for those who are willing to change their unhealthy lifestyles.

Weight management and smoking cessation classes already existed, however, they did not involve a doctor in the team.

The researchers – Lynn Pace, Mario Sammut and Charmaine Gauci – also recommended helping doctors spread good health advice through the distribution of leaflets to patients.

Another option was setting up information screens in waiting areas. The research – entitled ‘The attitudes, knowledge and practices of Maltese family doctors in disease prevention and health promotion’ – was carried out in 2011. A questionnaire was sent out to 293 family doctors but only 30 per cent replied, researchers said, as they noted that the doctors who bothered to reply were probably those interested in health promotion.

The results were compared with those gathered during a similar study carried out in 2000 by the European Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in General Practice/Family Medicine.

Results showed that, when it came to looking after their own health, doctors became more health conscious as more checked their own cholesterol and blood pressure yearly and exercised and vaccinated themselves.

Fewer doctors smoked and drank excessively (more than 15 units of alcohol a week).

Cross-tabulation showed that those doctors who smoked found it harder to advise patients to quit smoking, while those who were obese found it harder to preach about the benefits of exercise.

How healthy are doctors?