How can and do Australian doctors promote physical activity?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• General Practice
• Exercise Medicine

Background:

• Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern.
• Limited understanding exists regarding healthcare providers' capacity to promote physical activity.
• This study investigates family practitioners' roles in physical activity promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess family practitioners' current practices, attitudes, skills, and resources for promoting physical activity.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing doctors' engagement in physical activity promotion.
• To compare self-reported current practices with perceived desirable practices.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was developed and administered to 1,228 family practitioners in Perth, Western Australia.
• A response rate of 71% (n=789) was achieved.
• Data analysis focused on current practices, confidence levels, and perceived barriers.

Main Results:

• Family practitioners most frequently recommend walking for sedentary adults.
• Awareness of major patient barriers to physical activity is high.
• Doctors report lower confidence in providing specific exercise advice, suggesting a need for further training.
• Verbal advice is common, but use of written materials and referral systems is limited.

Conclusions:

• Significant discrepancies exist between current and desired practices in promoting physical activity.
• Future strategies should enhance family physicians' self-efficacy and utilize evidence-based resources.
• The potential of referral systems to support increased physical activity in Australia warrants further investigation.