In a survey of 253 male and female patients, nearly all (97 percent) believed physicians should ask patients about family stress and conflict, and most (94 percent) thought physicians could be helpful.

Despite this, only one third of the respondents remembered ever being asked about family conflict by their physicians.

Even those reporting a history of relationship violence - perpetrators as well as victims - believed physicians should ask, agreeing that questioning was part of the family physicians\' job. In open-ended questioning, respondents indicated that they wanted physicians to ask about family conflict, listen to their stories, and provide information and appropriate referrals.

Patients\' Advice to Physicians About Intervening in Family Conflict
By Sandra K. Burge, Ph.D., et al

Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care discipline. Launched in May 2003, the journal is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals is published six times each year and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays and editorials. A board of directors with representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations oversees Annals. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed free of charge on the journal\'s Web site, http://www.annfammed.org.

Contact: Angela Lower
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