UK Doctors Delivering Physical Activity Advice: What Are the Challenges and Possible Solutions? A Qualitative Study

Dane Vishnubala (), Adil Iqbal, Katherine Marino, Steven Whatmough, Ruth Barker, David Salman, Peter Bazira, Gabrielle Finn, Andy Pringle and Camilla Nykjaer
Additional contact information
Dane Vishnubala: Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York YO10 5DD, UK
Adil Iqbal: Bradford Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
Katherine Marino: Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG, UK
Steven Whatmough: Leeds Teaching Hospital, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK
Ruth Barker: Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York YO10 5DD, UK
David Salman: School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
Peter Bazira: Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York YO10 5DD, UK
Gabrielle Finn: Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York YO10 5DD, UK
Andy Pringle: Sport Outdoor and Exercise Science, School of Human Sciences, Human Science Research Centre University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Camilla Nykjaer: Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: Despite strategies to enable Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to give physical activity (PA) advice to patients, this appears to be rarely done in consultations. The aims of the present study were to gain an understanding of doctors’ awareness of current PA guidelines and to explore their opinions on barriers and solutions. A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was adopted. This study included 15 doctors currently working in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the transcripts. Four themes and twelve sub-themes were deciphered. Intrinsic factors limiting the delivery of PA advice included a lack of knowledge of PA guidelines and PA being an afterthought. Barriers to delivering PA guidance included a lack of PA education, time pressures, and patient engagement. Solutions included staff training, incorporating PA into undergraduate training, and encouraging staff to be physically active. Methods to optimise PA guidance included individualised PA advice, local exercise services and schemes, utilising online and visual resources, and motivational interviewing. This study provides an updated insight into doctors’ opinions on barriers and solutions to discussing PA with patients. It is clear that further work is needed to ensure greater awareness of PA guidelines amongst clinicians.

Keywords: physical activity; adults; medical education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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