When Physicians Counsel About Stress: Results of a National Study

The prevalence of stress in primary care is high; 60–80% of visits may have a stress-related component.1 44% of Americans report an increase in psychological stress over the past five years.2 Stress is associated with more office visits and disease, but little is known about stress management counseling in primary care.3,4 Our study objective was to examine the rates of stress management counseling by U.S. primary care physicians and to identify associated factors.