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Pilot study of a physical activity intervention for patients with cardiovascular risk factors and chronic conditions in general practice
Author(s) -
Smith Ben J.,
Cook Debbie,
Buckley Paul,
Bauman Adrian
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he04044
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , overweight , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , family medicine , community health , clarity , health promotion , public health , gerontology , obesity , nursing , biochemistry , chemistry
Issues addressed This study investigated the acceptability and feasibility of a physical activity intervention for patients with cardiovascular risk factors and chronic conditions. Methods Nineteen GPs from the Australian Capital Territory were enlisted to recruit adults with hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, overweight or obesity, elevated glucose levels or type 2 diabetes. Participants received telephone counselling by a health educator, mailed information materials and follow‐up by GPs. Patient measurements addressed the quality of the interventions and changes in physical activity after six weeks. Feedback from GPs about the intervention was obtained in follow‐up interviews. Results Thirty‐two patients (70% women, 81% overweight or obese) were recruited by eight GPs. Patients rated the convenience, clarity, relevance and usefulness of the interventions highly. GP satisfaction with the intervention was also high, although their recruitment of patients was lower than expected. Conclusion The PATH intervention was acceptable to both patients and their GPs, but the rate of patient recruitment was low and the characteristics of participants showed distinct biases. So what? Mechanisms for increasing the reach of physical activity interventions in general practice need to be addressed, including periodic reminders for GPs to recruit patients and establishing systems to recall patients for follow‐up. Given the time pressures under which GPs work, engagement of others in the practice (e.g. nurse practitioners) and in the community (e.g. exercise scientists) also needs to be examined.