[French general practitioners and electromagnetic fields].

Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983) · 2013 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 4622

Study snapshot

PublicationPresse medicale (Paris, France : 1983) · 2013

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perception of risk of general practitioners (GPs) about electromagnetic fields (EMF), their sources of information, as well as their patients' level of concern. METHODS: Six hundred French GPs were selected according to the quotas method. They were asked to answer 24 items via an electronic questionnaire using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method. RESULTS: The GPs know the main EMF sources: cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens and WiFi networks. Patients mostly complain or worry about the first three sources and ask their GP for information about these. GPs themselves search for information in the mainstream media rather than in the usual scientific and medical press. As a consequence, their knowledge about potential risks of EMF is deemed rather crude. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The GPs are sensitive to environmental concerns, particularly regarding EMF exposure. However, according to the results analysis, they do not have the same approach because of an obvious lack of mastery in a complex and poorly informed situation. A serious educational effort is essential and would be welcomed by practitioners, who are aware of their responsibilities in terms of counseling, diagnosis and care.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

PopulationFrench general practitioners (GPs)

Sample size600

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an electronic questionnaire of 600 French GPs, respondents identified main EMF sources (cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens, WiFi). Patients were reported to mostly worry about or complain regarding towers, phones, and power-lines and to ask GPs for information. GPs reported seeking information more in mainstream media than in scientific/medical press, and their knowledge about potential EMF risks was described as rather crude; the authors conclude an educational effort is needed.

Outcomes measured

GPs' perception of EMF risk
Sources of information used by GPs about EMF
Patients' level of concern/complaints about EMF sources
GP knowledge about potential EMF risks (self/author-assessed)

Limitations

Survey-based design (questionnaire)
Information sources and patient concerns are reported/assessed via GP responses rather than direct measurement
No quantitative exposure characterization (frequency, SAR, duration) provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "multiple (cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens, WiFi networks)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "French general practitioners (GPs)",
  "sample_size": 600,
  "outcomes": [
    "GPs' perception of EMF risk",
    "Sources of information used by GPs about EMF",
    "Patients' level of concern/complaints about EMF sources",
    "GP knowledge about potential EMF risks (self/author-assessed)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an electronic questionnaire of 600 French GPs, respondents identified main EMF sources (cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens, WiFi). Patients were reported to mostly worry about or complain regarding towers, phones, and power-lines and to ask GPs for information. GPs reported seeking information more in mainstream media than in scientific/medical press, and their knowledge about potential EMF risks was described as rather crude; the authors conclude an educational effort is needed.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Survey-based design (questionnaire)",
    "Information sources and patient concerns are reported/assessed via GP responses rather than direct measurement",
    "No quantitative exposure characterization (frequency, SAR, duration) provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "general practitioners",
    "risk perception",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "information sources",
    "patient concern",
    "France",
    "cell phone towers",
    "mobile phones",
    "power lines",
    "microwave ovens",
    "WiFi"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.22,
      "reason": "WiFi networks are explicitly discussed as an EMF source of concern/information."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2012.09.026
PubMed: 23419463

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