The importance of collaboration between medical and exercise professionals in addressing patient physical inactivity

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Ahead of Print. Physical activity has declined further during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Physicians are at the front lines of proactively educating and promoting physical activity to patients; however, physicians do not feel confident and face numerous barriers in prescribing exercise to patients. Exercise referral schemes, comprising collaborations with qualified exercise professionals, represent a fruitful option for supporting physicians hoping to promote physical activity to more patients. Herein, we provide practical suggestions for establishing and creating a successful referral scheme. Ultimately, exercise referral schemes offer an alternative to help physician burnout and mitigate patient physical inactivity during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research