1. Predictors of physical activity promotion in clinical practice: a cross-sectional study among medical doctors
- Author
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Catarina Santos Silva, Romeu Mendes, Cristina Godinho, Ana Monteiro-Pereira, Jaime Pimenta-Ribeiro, Helena Silva Martins, João Brito, José Luís Themudo-Barata, Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro, Pedro J. Teixeira, Graça Freitas, and Marlene Nunes Silva
- Subjects
Medical doctors ,Physical activity promotion ,Predictors ,Physical activity behaviours ,Attitudes ,Knowledge ,Special aspects of education ,LC8-6691 ,Medicine - Abstract
Abstract Background Physical activity is a major determinant of physical and mental health. International recommendations identify health professionals as pivotal agents to tackle physical inactivity. This study sought to characterize medical doctors’ clinical practices concerning the promotion of patients’ physical activity, while also exploring potential predictors of the frequency and content of these practices, including doctors’ physical activity level and sedentary behaviours. Methods A cross-sectional study assessed physical activity promotion in clinical practice with a self-report questionnaire delivered through the national medical prescription software (naturalistic survey). Physical activity and sedentary behaviours were estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Indicators of medical doctors’ attitudes, knowledge, confidence, barriers, and previous training concerning physical activity promotion targeting their patients were also assessed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of physical activity promotion frequency by medical doctors, including sociodemographic, attitudes and knowledge-related variables, and physical activity behaviours as independent variables. Results A total of 961 medical doctors working in the Portuguese National Health System participated (59% women, mean age 44 ± 13 years) in the study. The majority of the participants (84.6%) reported to frequently promote patients’ physical activity. Five predictors of physical activity promotion frequency emerged from the multiple regression analysis, explaining 17.4% of the dependent variable (p
- Published
- 2022
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