PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - B A Swinburn
AU  - L G Walter
AU  - B Arroll
AU  - M W Tilyard
AU  - D G Russell
TI  - Green prescriptions: attitudes and perceptions of general practitioners towards prescribing exercise.
DP  - 1997 Sep 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 567--569
VI  - 47
IP  - 422
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/47/422/567.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/47/422/567.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract1997 Sep 01; 47
AB  - BACKGROUND: This qualitative study was part of a broader randomized controlled trial which showed that written exercise advice (green prescription) from a general practitioner (GP) increased physical activity levels among sedentary patients more than verbal advice alone over a 6-week period. AIM: To assess the attitudes and perceptions of GPs towards the practice of writing green prescriptions. METHOD: Participating GPs (n = 25) discussed attitudes and perceptions towards green prescriptions through structured focus groups within 2 weeks of the end of recruitment for the main study. RESULTS: The GPs felt comfortable discussing and prescribing exercise with and to patients. They preferred giving green prescriptions to giving verbal advice alone, and felt they were a valuable tool to formalize and document mutually agreed exercise goals. Time constraints were identified as a major barrier to the widespread implementation of green prescriptions. Appropriate training, resource materials, and patient follow-up mechanisms were identified as important elements for successful implementation of the strategy. CONCLUSION: Overall, the GPs were very positive about the green prescription concept, believing it to be beneficial for patients and achievable within general practice.