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.
RCT Entities:
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.
Authors: Johanna M Huijg; Winifred A Gebhardt; Marieke W Verheijden; Nicolette van der Zouwe; Juriena D de Vries; Barend J C Middelkoop; Mathilde R Crone Journal: Int J Behav Med Date: 2015-02
Authors: Johanna M Huijg; Nicolette van der Zouwe; Mathilde R Crone; Marieke W Verheijden; Barend J C Middelkoop; Winifred A Gebhardt Journal: Int J Behav Med Date: 2015-06
Authors: Tammy C Hoffmann; Chris G Maher; Tom Briffa; Catherine Sherrington; Kim Bennell; Jennifer Alison; Maria Fiatarone Singh; Paul P Glasziou Journal: CMAJ Date: 2016-03-14 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Elizabeth V Naylor; David O Antonuccio; Mark Litt; Gary E Johnson; Daniel R Spogen; Richard Williams; Catherine McCarthy; Marcia M Lu; David C Fiore; Dianne L Higgins Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings Date: 2010-09