Dietary advice in family medicine

Abstract

This article discusses the conceptual basis of dietary advice in family medicine. Given the large number of illnesses and diseases encountered in family practice for which diet and nutrition are relevant interventions, food-related advice is an important part of daily practice. To enhance the effectiveness of diet-related advice and counseling in family practice, it should be linked to the strengths of the family physician: 1) the patient-centered approach, which allows for tailor-made advice; and 2) the continuity of care, which provides the family physician with several contacts over time to present and reinforce advice. From this position, family physicians should approach their patients with advice and counseling in "ready bits" that fit into the time constraints of regular consultations and make sure these bits are consistent over time and address specific individual patients' values and barriers with regard to modification of food habits. Orientation of patients' expressed readiness to change can present a template of patient-centeredness. Primary care nutritional guidelines should in particular acknowledge the strengths of family medicine.