Analysis of Madrid Primary Health-Care staff for the implementation of exercise prescription

Abstract

Objective

To assess the self-perception of nurses and general practitioners (GPs) toward Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP) in Madrid Primary Health-Care (PHC).

Design

A survey-cohort study.

Site

Nurses and GPs of Madrid PHC System.

Participants

A total of 319 GPs and 285 nurses’ responders.

Measurements

Data were analyzed under a classification tree analysis by four predictor variables: (i) Health professional (Nurses/GPs); (ii) Exercise prescription collaboration with all health professionals: physicians, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, sports scientists, nutritionists, and teachers (Yes/No); (iii) PA promotion collaboration with Sports Scientists (Yes/No); and (iv) The stage of change of PHC staff to PA promotion (0–4 Likert scale).

Results

Regarding the predictor variable (i), responders without PA guidelines knowledge and positive attitude to collaborate with nurses in PA promotion are more GPs of female sex (nurses n = 33 and GPs n = 175) than male sex (nurses n = 3 and GPs n = 59) (p < .001). For the predictor variable (ii) only 9.30% of PHC staff with a positive attitude to collaborate with all health professionals in PA promotion and exercise prescription. For the predictor variable (iii) was shown low collaboration with sports physicians and sports scientists under a multidisciplinary PAP approach (26.50% responders). Finally, in the predictor variable (iv) Staff maintaining PAP for at least 6 months, self-considered active, and with PAP knowledge want to collaborate with Sports scientists (Yes = 233; No = 133).

Conclusions

Nurses and GPs are conscious of health-related PA benefits despite the lack of PAP knowledge and lack of willingness to collaborate with other health personnel, exercise professionals, and community resources available.