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

This cross-sectional study assessed the extent of tobacco education and interventionskills 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 wasreported by the majority of physicians. The subject of smoking-related diseases, psychology of tobaccouse and management of tobacco dependence were inadequately covered in medical schools. Trainingin smoking cessation was particularly neglected, with only 4% of physicians receiving training abouttobacco cessation interventions.