Tobacco education in medical schools: survey among primary care physicians in Bahrain.

East Mediterr Health J. 2009 Jul-Aug; 15(4):969-75.EM

This cross-sectional study assessed the extent of tobacco education and intervention skills training among primary care physicians in Bahrain. Out of 217 family physicians in the country, 120 (55%) answered a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 24% were current smokers and 10% were ex-smokers. Inadequate education at medical school about tobacco use and interventions was reported by the majority of physicians. The subject of smoking-related diseases, psychology of tobacco use and management of tobacco dependence were inadequately covered in medical schools. Training in smoking cessation was particularly neglected, with only 4% of physicians receiving training about tobacco cessation interventions.