TY - JOUR T1 - Family Physician Self-Efficacy With Screening for Inherited Cancer Risk JF - The Annals of Family Medicine JO - Ann Fam Med SP - 130 LP - 132 DO - 10.1370/afm.60 VL - 2 IS - 2 AU - Robert Gramling AU - Justin Nash AU - Karen Siren AU - Charles Eaton AU - Larry Culpepper Y1 - 2004/03/01 UR - http://www.annfammed.org/content/2/2/130.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND Recent evidence has shown low and inconsistent rates of family history screening among generalist physicians. Little has been done to investigate the physician factors likely to mediate this behavior. We investigated family physicians’ beliefs about screening their patients for inherited cancer risk, measuring their perceptions of self-efficacy and the importance of screening. METHODS We mailed a cross-sectional, 1-page questionnaire to all active members (691) of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, measuring their attitudes about predictive genetic cancer screening. RESULTS We received responses from 300 of the 691 members (43%). Although 87% believed screening to be important, less than two thirds believed they were effective in screening. CONCLUSIONS Many family physicians lack confidence in their ability to screen patients for a family history of cancer despite recognizing its importance to their practice. ER -