Training Physicians to Conduct Physical Activity Counseling

Background.In accordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the current pilot study tests the feasibility and efficacy of a physician-delivered physical activity counseling intervention. Methods.A sequential comparison group design was used to examine change in self-report...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Preventive medicine 1997-05, Vol.26 (3), p.382-388
Main Authors: Marcus, Bess H., Goldstein, Michael G., Jette, Alan, Simkin-Silverman, Laurey, Pinto, Bernardine M., Milan, Felise, Washburn, Richard, Smith, Kevin, Rakowski, William, Dubé, Catherine E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Analysis of Variance
Attitude of Health Personnel
exercise
Exercise - psychology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Behavior
Humans
Inservice Training - standards
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
patient education
Patient Education as Topic - methods
Patient Education as Topic - standards
Physician's Role
Pilot Projects
primary care physicians
Primary Health Care - methods
Program Evaluation
psychological theory
Regression Analysis
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Background.In accordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the current pilot study tests the feasibility and efficacy of a physician-delivered physical activity counseling intervention. Methods.A sequential comparison group design was used to examine change in self-reported physical activity between experimental (counseling and self-help materials) and control (usual care) patients at baseline and 6 weeks after the initial office visit. Patients in both groups were contacted by telephone 2 weeks after their office visit and asked about the physical activity counseling at their most recent physician visit. Experimental patients also received a follow-up appointment to discuss physical activity with their physician 4 weeks after their initial visit. Results.Counseling was feasible for physicians to do and produced short-term increases in physical activity levels. Both groups increased their physical activity, but the increase in physical activity was greater for patients who reported receiving a greater number of counseling messages. Conclusions.Physician-delivered physical activity interventions may be an effective way to achieve widespread improvements in the physical activity of middle-aged and older adults.
ISSN:0091-7435
1096-0260
DOI:10.1006/pmed.1997.0158