"You've Got to Pick Your Battles": A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Physical Activity Counselling and Referral within General Practice

One in four people say they would be more active if advised by a general practitioner (GP), yet 72% of GPs do not discuss physical activity (PA) with patients and 80% of GPs are unaware of the PA guidelines. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate GP perspectives on PA counselling and ref...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-10, Vol.17 (20), p.7428
Main Authors: Buckley, Benjamin J R, Finnie, Stephanie J, Murphy, Rebecca C, Watson, Paula M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Behavior
Counseling
Ecological models
Exercise
Family Practice
Feedback
Female
General Practice
General Practitioners
Humans
Intervention
Interviews
Investigations
Male
Medical referrals
Middle Aged
Mixed methods research
Physical activity
Physical fitness
Professional ethics
Professionals
Qualitative research
Referral and Consultation
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Summary:One in four people say they would be more active if advised by a general practitioner (GP), yet 72% of GPs do not discuss physical activity (PA) with patients and 80% of GPs are unaware of the PA guidelines. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate GP perspectives on PA counselling and referral and interpret these within the context of the socio-ecological model (SEM). Fifty-six GPs completed an online survey to investigate factors influencing PA counselling and referral. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with seven GPs to explore topics in more depth. Interview data were analysed thematically and mapped to the SEM. GPs were more likely to discuss PA with patients if they were physically active themselves ( = 0.004). Influences on PA counselling and referral were identified at the policy (provision of education, priority), organisational (feedback, e-referral), interpersonal (PA as everybody's business, patient factors) and intrapersonal (knowledge, GP PA levels) levels of the SEM. Multi-level strategies are required to help GPs promote PA and make use of exercise referral schemes, including making PA a strategic priority, introducing systems for feedback from referrals, and involving other members of the care team in PA counselling and referral.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17207428