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Barriers to physical activity promotion by general practitioners and practice nurses
J McKenna1, P J Naylor, N McDowell
1Exercise and Health Research Unit, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 17, 1998
Summary
General practitioners and practice nurses who are active themselves are more likely to promote physical activity. Personal readiness to change significantly boosts patient physical activity promotion efforts.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
- General Practice
Background:
- General practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) play a crucial role in promoting physical activity.
- Understanding factors influencing their promotion efforts is key to improving population health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the promotion of physical activity by general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs).
- To identify barriers and personal behavior factors influencing physical activity promotion.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 846 general practitioners and practice nurses.
- The survey assessed barriers, their influence, and stage of change for activity promotion and personal behavior.
Main Results:
- 69% of GPs and PNs regularly promote physical activity.
- GPs citing lack of time or incentives were less likely to promote activity.
- GPs who were regular exercisers were more likely to promote activity (OR=3.19).
- For PNs, longer consultation times and personal physical activity stage strongly predicted promotion (OR=4.77).
Conclusions:
- Personal physical activity behavior is a strong predictor of promotion for both GPs and PNs.
- GPs in action/maintenance stages of personal activity are 3x more likely to promote it.
- PNs in action/maintenance stages are 4x more likely to promote physical activity.