Are Psychologists Willing and Able to Promote Physical Activity as Part of Psychological Treatment?

Abstract

Many psychologists are willing and potentially able to promote physical activity as part of psychological treatment and would be likely to participate in relevant professional development.

Cardiometabolic Health Nursing to Improve Health and Primary Care Access in Community Mental Health Consumers: Baseline Physical Health Outcomes from a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…This is despite the demonstrated efficacy of such programs (Forsyth et al, 2009). In contrast, psychologists' views are markedly different with more than 80% promoting physical activity as a therapeutic adjunct (Burton, Pakenham, & Brown, 2010).…”

The impact of lifestyle medicine continuing education on provider knowledge, attitudes, and counseling behaviors

“…Further, other health professions, e.g. nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and psychology, are also incorporating lifestyle counseling interventions into their practices (Johnson 2007;Prevost 2007;Burton et al 2010). …”

General Practitioners’ beliefs about physical activity for managing depression in primary care

“…Recent research among psychologists suggests that as professionals they were confident in their ability to provide activity advice and problem solve barriers to activity, and also to tailor advice as part of a psychological treatment for depression (Burton et al, 2010). Furthermore, the psychologists had an interest in participating in relevant professional development with regard to providing physical activity advice.…”