Physical Activity Counseling in Primary Care in Germany—An Integrative Review

Abstract

Physical activity counseling in primary health care is regarded as a useful complementary preventive and therapeutic measure and is advocated by leading public health institutions. This integrative review summarizes the available data on physical activity counseling in primary care in Germany. A systematic literature search in various databases (peer reviewed and grey literature) was carried out for quantitative and qualitative studies on physical activity counseling and use of “Exercise on Prescription”. The 25 studies included show a very high methodological diversity and, in some cases, considerable risks of bias, with limited comparability across studies. Counseling was provided in all studies by physicians. They report frequent physical activity counseling, which is partly confirmed and partly refuted by patient data. The use of “Exercise on Prescription” is at a very low level. Information on the frequency of physical activity counseling in Germany varies depending on data source and is sometimes contradictory. Our review provides a synthesis of various perspectives on routine physical activity counseling in primary care in Germany. Future studies using standardized and validated instruments in representative samples are needed to further knowledge on counseling and to be able to establish trends in prevalence. Strengthening the topics of physical activity and health and physical activity counseling in medical curriculum is strongly recommended.

Foresight for the Fitness Sector: Results from a European Delphi Study and Its Relevance in the Time of COVID-19

“…We must also note that medical professionals must likewise become better equipped to interact with the fitness sector. Based on recent studies, general practitioners show very low levels of knowledge about physical activity guidelines and exercise promotion in primary health care is very rare [24][25][26]. According to Füzéki et al [24] "strengthening the topics of physical activity and health and physical activity counselling in medical curriculum is strongly recommended" as it would prepare health care providers for effective collaboration with fitness professionals to support increased physical activity levels.…”

Effects of pre‐surgical aerobic dance‐based exercise on lower extremity in people with morbid obesity awaiting bariatric surgery: Randomized controlled study

“…16 PAC interventions promoting PA may provide clinically relevant effects. 17 The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of presurgical aerobic dance-based exercise programme (PSADBE) and PAC programme compared to only PAC on lower extremity functions in people with morbid obesity awaiting bariatric surgery (PMOABS). We hypothesized that the PSADBE compared to the PAC programme results in higher functional capacity, physical fitness, PA, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) outcomes.…”

Challenges of Implementing an mHealth Application for Personalized Physical Activity Counselling in Primary Health Care: A Qualitative Study

“…4 The prevalence of PA counselling in PHC varies. 5,6 A study reported a discrepancy between physician-reported (high: 90% reported offering PA counselling) and patient-reported (low: 8.6% reported receiving PA counselling) prevalence. 5 This may reflect the different perspectives of health care providers and patients.…”

“…5,6 A study reported a discrepancy between physician-reported (high: 90% reported offering PA counselling) and patient-reported (low: 8.6% reported receiving PA counselling) prevalence. 5 This may reflect the different perspectives of health care providers and patients. A major target for PA counselling is patients with chronic illnesses (eg, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and osteoarthritis).…”

“…A major target for PA counselling is patients with chronic illnesses (eg, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and osteoarthritis). 5 However, a lack of specific training in this area, time constraints, and heavy clinical workload are barriers to the provision of PA counselling by PHC providers. 7,8 Mobile health (mHealth), which uses mobile devices to support medical and public health practice, 9 has played an increasingly important role in community health care and PHC.…”