Background Regular physical activity had been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, obesity/metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Research had shown that physically active doctors were more likely to offer exercise counselling to patients. However, few studies looked into this association with counselling practices to patients with specific chronic diseases. This study aims to determine the association between physical activity levels of primary care doctors (PCDs) in Malaysian private practice with physical activity counselling to patients with chronic diseases. Methodology A cross-sectional study involving PCDs in private practice in 3 states was done. Participants were recruited from members of the Malaysian Academy of Family Physicians and attendees of a conference. A self-administered questionnaire obtained information on sociodemography, initiation of exercise counselling to patients with chronic diseases as well as physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results The response rate was 32.3% (272/842). 47.1% of the respondents were post-graduate holders. 50% of participants had a moderate level of physical activity and 24.3% a high level. Most respondents answered ‘always’ or ‘often’ for initiation of exercise counselling to patients with cardiovascular diseases (59.9%), hypertension (72.8%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (78.6%), obesity/metabolic syndrome (86.4%), dyslipidaemia (81.6%), osteoarthritis/osteoporosis (41.9%) and bronchial asthma/COPD (29.5%). PCDs being physically active and non-smokers were associated with a higher initiation of exercise counselling to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Doctors with post-graduate degrees were more likely to offer exercise counselling to hypertensive patients. Conclusion The association between PCDs’ physical activity levels and their physical activity counselling varies between different types of chronic diseases. Primary care doctors with higher physical activity levels were more likely to initiate physical activity counselling in patients with cardiovascular disease during chronic disease follow up visits.
Background: Chronic diseases, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of death globally and in Malaysia. Exercise has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality from NCDs. Research shows that physically active primary care doctors (PCDs) offer exercise counselling more often to patients with chronic diseases. This study aims to see if there is indeed an association between physically active primary care doctors offering exercise counselling more often to patients with chronic diseases. Specifically, to determine the association between physical activity (PA) intensity of primary care doctors in private practice from 3 urban states and the initiation of exercise counselling to patients with five chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity/metabolic syndrome and dyslipidaemia).Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving PCDs in private practice in 3 states. Participants from two states were recruited via postal surveys distributed by the Malaysian Academy of Family Physicians. Participants from another state were recruited at a teaching conference for PCDs. A self-administered questionnaire obtained sociodemographic information, initiation of exercise counselling to patients with chronic diseases as well as PA intensity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Results: The response rate was 32.3% (272/842). Of 272 respondents, the mean age was 34(11) of which 66.5% of participants were female and 33.5% were male. 52.9% of participants had undergraduate qualifications and 47.1% were post-graduate holders. 59.6% were overweight/obese (BMI > 23). PA of 50% of participants was at a moderate level and 24.3% at a high level. For initiation of exercise counselling, most respondents answered ‘always’ or ‘often’ to patients with cardiovascular diseases (59.9%), hypertension (72.8%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (78.6%), obesity/metabolic syndrome (86.4%) and dyslipidaemia (81.6%). PCDs being physically active and non-smokers were associated with a higher initiation of exercise counselling to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Doctors with post-graduate degrees were more likely to offer exercise counselling to hypertensive patients.Conclusion: Primary care doctors with higher physical activity intensity levels were more likely to proactively initiate exercise counselling in patients with cardiovascular diseases during chronic disease follow up visits.
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