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British Journal of General Practice

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Research

GPs’ knowledge, use, and confidence in national physical activity and health guidelines and tools: a questionnaire-based survey of general practice in England

Robin Chatterjee, Tim Chapman, Mike GT Brannan and Justin Varney
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (663): e668-e675. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp17X692513
Robin Chatterjee
Public Health England, London, and GP with special interest in sports and exercise medicine, MICAS (Musculoskeletal Interface Clinical Assessment Service), Battersea Healthcare, Battersea, London.
Roles: Specialist registrar in sports and exercise medicine
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Tim Chapman
Health Improvement Directorate, Public Health England, London.
Roles: Adult lifestyle manager (physical activity)
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Mike GT Brannan
Health Improvement Directorate, Public Health England, London.
Roles: Deputy national lead for adult health and wellbeing
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Justin Varney
Health Improvement Directorate, Public Health England, London.
Roles: National lead for adult health and wellbeing
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Abstract

Background Physical activity (PA) brief advice in health care is effective at getting individuals active. It has been suggested that one in four people would be more active if advised by a GP or nurse, but as many as 72% of GPs do not discuss the benefits of physical activity with patients.

Aim To assess the knowledge, use, and confidence in national PA and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) health guidelines and tools among GPs in England.

Design and setting Online questionnaire-based survey of self-selecting GPs in England that took place over a 10-day period in March 2016.

Method The questionnaire consisted of six multiple-choice questions and was available on the Doctors.net.uk (DNUK) homepage. Quotas were used to ensure good regional representation.

Results The final analysis included 1013 responses. Only 20% of responders were broadly or very familiar with the national PA guidelines. In all, 70% of GPs were aware of the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ), but 26% were not familiar with any PA assessment tools, and 55% reported that they had not undertaken any training with respect to encouraging PA.

Conclusion The majority of GPs in England (80%) are unfamiliar with the national PA guidelines. Awareness of the recommended tool for assessment, GPPAQ, is higher than use by GPs. This may be because it is used by other clinical staff, for example, as part of the NHS Health Check programme. Although brief advice in isolation by GPs on PA will only be a part of the behaviour change journey, it is an important prompt, especially if repeated as part of routine practice. This study highlights the need for significant improvement in knowledge, skills, and confidence to maximise the potential for PA advice in GP consultations.

  • CMO guidelines
  • exercise
  • general practice
  • GPPAQ
  • physical fitness
  • questionnaires
  • Received January 12, 2017.
  • Revision requested February 13, 2017.
  • Accepted April 19, 2017.
  • © British Journal of General Practice 2017
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British Journal of General Practice: 67 (663)
British Journal of General Practice
Vol. 67, Issue 663
October 2017
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GPs’ knowledge, use, and confidence in national physical activity and health guidelines and tools: a questionnaire-based survey of general practice in England
Robin Chatterjee, Tim Chapman, Mike GT Brannan, Justin Varney
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (663): e668-e675. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X692513

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GPs’ knowledge, use, and confidence in national physical activity and health guidelines and tools: a questionnaire-based survey of general practice in England
Robin Chatterjee, Tim Chapman, Mike GT Brannan, Justin Varney
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (663): e668-e675. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X692513
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Keywords

  • CMO guidelines
  • exercise
  • general practice
  • GPPAQ
  • physical fitness
  • questionnaires

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