PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND COUNSELING PRACTICES AMONG MEDICAL DOCTORS: A REVIEW

Introduction: Literature indicates that physical activity is a health practice that can prevent chronic diseases of lifestyle. It is recommended that medical practitioners, among them physicians, should hold the responsibility of counseling patients on physical activity. This review attempts to establish whether physical inactivity among physiciansisariskfactortocounselingpracticesonphysicalactivity. Methods: Databases searched included Science direct, Pubmed, Eric, Health sources consumer edition, Health sources:nursing/academicedition,SportsdiscussandMedlinethroughJanuary2000toFebruary2010.Allstudies testing if physical inactivity is a risk factor to counseling practices among physicians were included in the review. The“criticalthinkingtoolforquasiexperimentalstudiesand theJoannaBriggsInstituteMetaAnalysisofStatistics Assessment and Review Instruments were used to evaluate quasi experimental and cross sectional studies respectively. Results: Two quasi experimental studies and four cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. There was strong evidence for an association between physical inactivity and counseling practices, indicatingthatphysicianswhoexercisedregularlyweremorelikelytocounselpatientsonphysicalactivityandvice versa.Levelsofphysicalactivitywereseentodecreaseasyearsoftrainingprogressedamongresidentphysicians in one study while in another the levels were consistent. Lack of knowledge about details of physical activity prescriptionswasalsoblamedforinadequatecounseling. Discussion/ conclusion: Thereissignificantindicationthatinadequatecounselingconcerningphysicalactivityby physicians may be related to their personal physical activity patterns. Measures around enhancing this health practice should be enhanced by all stakeholders including physicians and patients. Further reasons for failure to counsel and hindrances to participation on physical activity among medical doctors and other health professionals shouldbeexplored.