Training physicians to conduct physical activity counseling.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the current pilot study tests the feasibility and efficacy of a physician-delivered physical activity counseling intervention.


METHODS
A sequential comparison group design was used to examine change in self-reported physical activity between experimental (counseling and self-help materials) and control (usual care) patients at base-line and 6 weeks after the initial office visit. Patients in both groups were contacted by telephone 2 weeks after their office visit and asked about the physical activity counseling at their most recent physician visit. Experimental patients also received a follow-up appointment to discuss physical activity with their physician 4 weeks after their initial visit.


RESULTS
Counseling was feasible for physicians to do and produced short-term increases in physical activity levels. Both groups increased their physical activity, but the increase in physical activity was greater for patients who reported receiving a greater number of counseling messages.


CONCLUSIONS
Physician-delivered physical activity interventions may be an effective way to achieve wide-spread improvements in the physical activity of middle-aged and older adults.
Marcus
B H
BH
Division of Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
Goldstein
M G
MG
Jette
A
A
Simkin-Silverman
L
L
Pinto
B M
BM
Milan
F
F
Washburn
R
R
Smith
K
K
Rakowski
W
W
Dubé
C E
CE
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome