Pamela G Bowen1, William Opoku-Agyeman2, Olivio J Clay3, McCaskill Gina3, Veronica Mixon3, Bisakha Pia Sen4, Maria Pisu5, Michelle Y Martin6. 1. Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care, School of Nursing, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, NB 470B, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1210, USA. 2. School of Health and Applied Human Sciences/ College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 4. Department of Health Care Organization & Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 5. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 6. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a major issue for African Americans that contributes to increased risk for chronic conditions including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. The purpose of this single-clinic pilot study aimed to determine if a physical activity policy would increase primary-care provider discussions of physical activity during clinic visits using the Exercise is Medicine initiative as a guide. METHODS: The study design involved data collection at three time points. Participants were recruited from a single clinic providing high quality healthcare without regard to ability to pay. Participants included 109 African American patients between the ages of 24 and 81 (39 pre-intervention, 40 at 6 weeks post-intervention, and 30 at 12-months post-intervention). The primary outcome measure was participants' answers related to whether a physical activity discussion occurred with their primary-care provider. RESULTS: At baseline, 13% of participants reported a physical activity discussion with their provider, this increased to 33% at 6 weeks post-intervention. However, at 12-months post-intervention, the percentage of participants who reported a physical activity discussion decreased to 23%. CONCLUSION: Exercise is an underused evidence-based strategy that should be prescribed as a medicine to prevent and manage many chronic health conditions. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of improving provider-patient communications related to the importance of daily physical activity behaviors. Further research is needed to determine how to employ and sustain a clinic level policy that will encourage physical activity discussions at every visit.
BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a major issue for African Americans that contributes to increased risk for chronic conditions including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. The purpose of this single-clinic pilot study aimed to determine if a physical activity policy would increase primary-care provider discussions of physical activity during clinic visits using the Exercise is Medicine initiative as a guide. METHODS: The study design involved data collection at three time points. Participants were recruited from a single clinic providing high quality healthcare without regard to ability to pay. Participants included 109 African American patients between the ages of 24 and 81 (39 pre-intervention, 40 at 6 weeks post-intervention, and 30 at 12-months post-intervention). The primary outcome measure was participants' answers related to whether a physical activity discussion occurred with their primary-care provider. RESULTS: At baseline, 13% of participants reported a physical activity discussion with their provider, this increased to 33% at 6 weeks post-intervention. However, at 12-months post-intervention, the percentage of participants who reported a physical activity discussion decreased to 23%. CONCLUSION: Exercise is an underused evidence-based strategy that should be prescribed as a medicine to prevent and manage many chronic health conditions. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of improving provider-patient communications related to the importance of daily physical activity behaviors. Further research is needed to determine how to employ and sustain a clinic level policy that will encourage physical activity discussions at every visit.
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