Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze patient-reported health issues and levels of engagement, discussion of needed lifestyle changes, and goal setting with the patient's intern or staff doctor before and after a brief intervention to increase health-promoting activities in the clinic. Methods: Patient surveys were developed and administered to outpatients before and after a brief intervention aimed at increasing staff and intern engagement with patients on health promotion measures. Patients self-reported areas of need and levels of engagement by their doctor or intern. Data were analyzed as pre- and postintervention independent, cross-sectional samples. Frequencies and chi-square assessments were performed. Results: One hundred twenty-eight preintervention surveys and 162 postintervention surveys were collected. Back pain was the most common reason for being seen in the clinic (60% of patients) and most patients were white. More than 10% were smokers in both samples. Many patients reported poor diet, unhealthy weight, sleep issues, stress, or lack of regular physical activity, but 65% of the preintervention group and 72% of the postintervention group said a needed lifestyle change was discussed. Goals were set for 74% of the preintervention group and 84% of the postintervention group (p = .04). Information on lifestyle change was received by 52% of preintervention patients and 62% of postintervention patients and most were satisfied with this information. Goal setting was more common when a lifestyle change was discussed. Written information that was related to physical activity, for example, increased 350% (p < .0001). Conclusion: There are many opportunities for discussing needed lifestyle changes with patients. Patients self-report health behavioral issues related to physical activity, unhealthy weight, diet, stress, and sleep. More can be done in this area by this clinic, but initial assessments of impact from a brief intervention seem to have increased some levels of engagement by interns.

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About the Authors

Marion Evans, Jr., is the Director of Research at Texas Chiropractic College.

Gregory Page is the Associate Dean of Clinics at Parker College of Chiropractic.

Harrison Ndetan, Daniel Martinez, Patricia Brandon, and Dwain Daniel are all with the Parker College Research Institute.

Clark Walker is with the University of North Texas Health Science Center.