RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Delivering brief physical activity interventions in primary care: a systematic review JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP BJGP.2021.0312 DO 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0312 A1 Louise H Hall A1 Rachael Thorneloe A1 Rocio Rodriguez-Lopez A1 Adam Grice A1 Mangesh A Thorat A1 Katherine Bradbury A1 Meghana Wadnerkar Kamble A1 Grace N Okoli A1 Daniel Powell A1 Rebecca J Beeken YR 2021 UL http://bjgp.org/content/early/2021/11/15/BJGP.2021.0312.abstract AB Background Physical activity (PA) brief interventions (BIs) involving screening and/or advice are recommended in primary care but frequency of delivery is unknown.Aim To examine the extent to which PA BIs are delivered in primary care, and explore factors associated with delivery, receipt, and patient receptivity.Design and setting A mixed-methods systematic review of studies conducted worldwide, with a narrative synthesis of results.Method CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO index databases were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies, dating from January 2012 to June 2020, that reported the level of delivery and/or receipt of PA BIs in primary care, and/or factors affecting delivery, receipt, and patient receptivity. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Attitudes towards and barriers to delivery were coded into the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour model.Results After screening a total of 13 066 records, 66 articles were included in the review. The extent of PA screening and advice in primary care varied widely (2.4%–100% and 0.6%–100%, respectively). PA advice was delivered more often to patients with a higher body mass index, lower PA levels, and/or more comorbidities. Barriers — including a lack of time and training/guidelines — remain, despite recommendations from the World Health Organization and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence that PA advice should be provided in primary care. Few studies explored patients’ receptivity to advice.Conclusion PA BIs are not delivered frequently or consistently in primary care. Addressing barriers to delivery through system-level changes and training programmes could improve and increase the advice given. Understanding when patients are receptive to PA interventions could enhance health professionals’ confidence in their delivery.