TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical activity promotion in primary care
T2 - A Utopian quest?
AU - Lion, Alexis
AU - Vuillemin, Anne
AU - Thornton, Jane S.
AU - Theisen, Daniel
AU - Stranges, Saverio
AU - Ward, Malcolm
N1 - Funding Information:
This contribution is part of the Sport-Santé project which has received financial support from the Œvre Nationale de Secours Grande–Duchesse Charlotte and the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Author(s).
PY - 2019/8/1
Y1 - 2019/8/1
N2 - The health benefits of physical activity (PA) are acknowledged and promoted by the scientific community, especially within primary care. However, there is little evidence that such promotion is provided in any consistent or comprehensive format. Brief interventions (i.e. discussion, negotiation or encouragement) and exercise referral schemes (i.e. patients being formally referred to a PA professional) are the two dominant approaches within primary care. These cost-effective interventions can generate positive changes in health outcomes and PA levels in inactive patients who are at increased risk for non-communicable diseases. Their success relies on the acceptability and efficiency of primary care professionals to deliver PA counselling. To this end, appropriate training and financial support are crucial. Similarly, human resourcing and synergy between the different stakeholders must be addressed. To obtain maximum adherence, specific populations should be targeted and interventions adapted to their needs. Key enablers include motivational interviewing, social support and multi-disciplinary approaches. Leadership and lines of accountability must be clearly delineated to ensure the success of the initiatives promoting PA in primary care. The synergic and multisectoral action of several stakeholders, especially healthcare professionals, will help overcome physical inactivity in a sustainable way.
AB - The health benefits of physical activity (PA) are acknowledged and promoted by the scientific community, especially within primary care. However, there is little evidence that such promotion is provided in any consistent or comprehensive format. Brief interventions (i.e. discussion, negotiation or encouragement) and exercise referral schemes (i.e. patients being formally referred to a PA professional) are the two dominant approaches within primary care. These cost-effective interventions can generate positive changes in health outcomes and PA levels in inactive patients who are at increased risk for non-communicable diseases. Their success relies on the acceptability and efficiency of primary care professionals to deliver PA counselling. To this end, appropriate training and financial support are crucial. Similarly, human resourcing and synergy between the different stakeholders must be addressed. To obtain maximum adherence, specific populations should be targeted and interventions adapted to their needs. Key enablers include motivational interviewing, social support and multi-disciplinary approaches. Leadership and lines of accountability must be clearly delineated to ensure the success of the initiatives promoting PA in primary care. The synergic and multisectoral action of several stakeholders, especially healthcare professionals, will help overcome physical inactivity in a sustainable way.
KW - evidence-based health promotion
KW - non-communicable diseases
KW - physical activity
KW - primary care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064067064&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/heapro/day038
DO - 10.1093/heapro/day038
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29893846
AN - SCOPUS:85064067064
SN - 0957-4824
VL - 34
SP - 877
EP - 886
JO - Health Promotion International
JF - Health Promotion International
IS - 4
ER -