Introduction Many researchers are of the opinion that the incorporation of physical activity prescription (PAP) into healthcare is a move that can add value to healthcare, but there are others who think this move would rather disrupt clinical practice. This study, therefore, examined the influence of physicians' PAP (PPAP) on healthcare quality indicators. Methods The study adopted a correlational approach and was performed at a primary care facility. Participants were 605 patients in wards and the outpatient department of a district healthcare facility. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gather data. Structural equation modeling was used to present findings. Results The study found that PPAP has a positive influence on care quality (β = 0.4, critical ratio = 10.59, and p = .000), patient satisfaction, and patient loyalty. Physical activity prescription also has a positive indirect influence on patient loyalty through patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Physicians' physical activity prescription in healthcare can improve healthcare quality indicators. A key implication of our results is that the incorporation of PPAP into healthcare could be in harmony with the key mission of hospitals. Physical activity prescription in healthcare could be a way to satisfy and retain patients.

Many countries including Ghana and Australia have adopted physical activity (PA) counselling in healthcare as a public health improvement strategy. Even so, more evidence is needed to improve clinical PA counselling among clinicians, including nurses. This study examined the association between nurses’ physical activity counselling (NPAC) and patients’ perceptions of care quality. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with a sensitivity analysis against potential confounding. The setting of the study was a public primary care facility in Darkuman, Accra. Participants were 605 patients in wards and the Outpatient Department of the facility. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to select potential confounding variables for the study. The study found that higher care quality was associated with larger scores of NPAC (β = 0.34; CR = 8.65; p = 0.000). NPAC has no significant direct association with patient satisfaction (β = 0.01; CR = 0.22; p > 0.05) and loyalty (β = 0.05; CR = 1.21; p > 0.05), but care quality and patient satisfaction fully mediate the association between NPAC and patient loyalty. It is concluded that NPAC in healthcare can improve care quality and indirectly increase patient satisfaction and loyalty through care quality. The incorporation of PA counselling into clinical nursing may, therefore, be consistent with the core mission of hospitals.