Are doctors and nurses engaging in physical activity and its promotion?

Physical activity counselling in health care is inadequate but the reasons for this are not well understood.

To evaluate physical activity participation and counselling perceptions and practices among doctors and nurses in the UK.

This study used two anonymised online questionnaires distributed at different times to doctors and nurses throughout the UK.

629 responses were obtained; 78.3% of doctors and 73.4% of nurses met the UK guideline for aerobic physical activity. Perceived importance of counselling on physical activity was high but less than 50% of participants were actually providing counselling. Counselling was more likely in primary care and doctors were marginally more likely than nurses to counsel.

Doctors and nurses are an active cohort and view counselling on physical activity as important. Despite this, counselling levels are low especially in secondary care. Efforts should be made to improve knowledge and opportunity for physical activity counselling.