A physician fitness program: enhancing the physician as an "exercise" role model for patients.
BACKGROUND
Physically active physicians are more apt to counsel patients about exercise.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a physician fitness program on resident physician cardiovascular fitness, physical activity behavior/stage of change, and physical activity counseling behavior/attitudes.


METHODS
A prospective, intervention study with measurements at baseline (before intervention), 3 months (immediately after intervention), and 6 months (3 months after intervention) evaluated a multifaceted exercise program for 48 internal medicine residents. Resident physician cardiovascular fitness, energy expenditure, physical activity stage of change, knowledge, attitudes, and counseling behavior were measured.


RESULTS
Resident physician fitness significantly declined over time (baseline VO(2)-170 = 29.1 ml/kg/min, first follow-up VO(2)-170 = 27.3 ml/kg/min, and second follow-up VO(2)-170 = 26.2 ml/kg/min; p = .001). Although there was no change in overall energy expenditure, the number of resident physicians in the precontemplation or contemplation stage of change significantly declined with a corresponding increase in the number in a "higher" stage of change at first (p = .0034) and second follow-up (p = .024). There was a nonsignificant increase in self-reported patient counseling. Resident physician counseling confidence and perceived success significantly improved at first follow-up only (p = .01 and p = .03, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Although resident physician fitness and energy expenditure did not improve after intervention, a significant improvement in resident physician physical activity stage of change and attitudes toward patient counseling was noted. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm whether these changes are attributable to the intervention.
Rogers
Laura Q
LQ
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu
Gutin
Bernard
B
Humphries
Matthew C
MC
Lemmon
Christian R
CR
Waller
Jennifer L
JL
Baranowski
Tom
T
Saunders
Ruth
R
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States