Developing a training programme in physical activity counselling for undergraduate medical curricula: a nationwide Delphi study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify the essential content and approaches for developing a training programme in physical activity (PA) counselling for undergraduate medical curricula.DesignA three-round Delphi survey was conducted to investigate four key topics: (1) contents of PA counselling in medical education; (2) teaching and learning methods; (3) medical school collaboration and (4) educational policy implementation. Round 1 collected opinions from the participants. Round 2 focused on scoring the opinions. Round 3 summarised the expert opinions. A mean score of 4 or above identified as an important item.SettingAll 23 medical schools in Thailand.ParticipantsAcademic staff who were experts or in charge of medical schools in the fields of PA, health promotion or medical education.ResultsA total of 20 representatives from 18 of the 23 Thai medical schools participated in the study (for a response rate of 78.2%). The top three most important indicators of knowledge were (1) the definition and types of PA (4.75±0.55), (2) the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time and type) (4.75±0.55) and (3) the benefits of PA (4.65±0.67). The most important component of the training involved general communication skills (4.55±0.60). An extracurricular module (4.05±0.76) was preferable to an intracurricular module (3.95±0.94). Collaborations with medical education centres and teaching hospitals (4.45±0.78) and supporting policies to increase medical students’ PA (4.40±0.73) were considered to be important.ConclusionKnowledge and counselling skills are important for PA counselling. Building collaborations between medical education and health institutions, as well as implementing effective educational policies, are key approaches to the integration of PA counselling into medical education. Future research should focus on investigating the effects of training in PA counselling on the learning outcomes of medical students and the clinical outcomes of patients.

Integrating physical activity promotion into UK medical school curricula: testing the feasibility of an educational tool developed by the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine

“…These findings are reflective of Jones and colleagues' 2013 study which investigated the impact of a single lecture on medical students' attitude towards and knowledge of physical activity promotion and exercise prescription. 7 In addition to change in attitude towards physical activity, a three-round Delphi survey conducted among Thai medical schools 12 and a systematic review of existing physical activity education initiatives being carried out in medical schools 13 both highlight the importance of improving medical students' self-efficacy to conduct physical activity counselling.…”

“…18 Student-led advocacy, peer-led interest groups and evidence-based resources have been identified as other essential factors required for curricula change in this area. 12 Moreover, a systematic review of physical activity counselling programmes delivered in American medical schools suggests education programmes providing experiential learning opportunities could have the greatest impact on trainees' knowledge, skill set and clinical behaviour. 15 Opportunities to practise physical activity advice provision in simulated encounters or in a supervised clinical setting would be beneficial to students.…”

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour counselling: Attitudes and practices of mental health professionals

“…As indicated by mental health professionals in our study, the therapeutic role of PA in mental health and PA and SB counselling modules should be considered for inclusion within undergraduate and postgraduate training to ensure greater knowledge and confidence in clinical practice. Similarly, for existing service providers, training should be integrated into continuing professional development to improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes of clinicians regarding PA counselling [48].…”

What Elements of Sport and Exercise Science Should Primary Care Physicians Learn? An Interdisciplinary Discussion

“…The knowledge and skills pertaining to PA promotion in clinical settings cover several aspects of sport and exercise science ( 13 ). As PCPs are not specialists in these subject areas, it is important to identify the essential elements for the practices of PCPs.…”