How active are UK-based doctors?

Abstract

Introduction It is widely accepted that physical activity is beneficial to both physical and mental health. This study looked at current activity levels of UK doctors outside the workplace and how this compared with the general population. Methods An online anonymous cross-sectional survey was circulated to UK-based doctors. Four questions regarding self-reported physical activity levels were used to generate a score, which placed respondents into ‘active’ and ‘inactive’ categories, with those in the former group not meeting the current UK guidelines for minimum levels of activity. Results A total of 245 doctors responded to the survey. Just under half (42%) of doctors did not meet the UK guidelines for physical activity; this did not differ significantly from the activity levels of the general population (p>0.05). Those working in anaesthetics and intensive care had the highest levels of active respondents (69%). When the respondents’ activity levels were compared with those of the general population within the same age group, doctors aged 25–34 years were significantly less active (p<0.001). Conclusions A national unified approach to increasing the activity levels of UK doctors should be implemented to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Making this possible will include addressing barriers such as shift work patterns, education and the resources available.

Survey of emergency medicine doctors in London physical activity characteristics, awareness of guidelines and prescribing behaviours

“…Compared with Crane et al , our EM doctor cohort overall was just over 20% more active, 12 with over 71.4% compliance in all age brackets. No other studies were found at the time of the write-up looking at the PA of EM doctors.…”

“…Emergency medicine (EM) doctors have a duty to both themselves and their patients 11. A recent study by Crane et al showed that only 57% of EM doctors were considered active, with 55–64 years being the most active and 25–34 years being the least active 12. Chatterjee et al highlighted that 80% of general practitioners (GPs) in England were unfamiliar with PA guidelines,13 and Soegtrop et al showed that only 12.7% of Canadian (EM) doctors prescribed PA 14…”

UK Doctors Delivering Physical Activity Advice: What Are the Challenges and Possible Solutions? A Qualitative Study

“…Clearly, encouraging medical staff to be active is valuable in promoting health among the staff themselves and the individual benefits they will gain from this and in ensuring a healthy workforce. Previously there have been calls for the NHS to better encourage, support, and facilitate staff to engage in PA [31]. The moral debate of whether doctors need to, or should be, role models for patients regarding health behaviours [32] is beyond the scope of this article.…”

“…Encouraging doctors to be active as a way of encouraging the promotion of PA to patients is an interesting concept and finding of this study. However, this is not a novel concept, with a range of global research suggesting that doctors who are active are more likely to give physical activity advice to their patients [29][30][31]. A study performed in Glasgow in 2019 found that 63.9% of 332 doctors met the recommended volume of aerobic activity, while only 23.5% achieved the recommended account of muscle-strengthening activities [21].…”

“…They concluded that their results indicated doctors are as active as the UK general public. Another recent study found that 58% of 245 UK doctors met the PA guidelines, again concluding no significant difference from levels in the general population [31]. Clearly, encouraging medical staff to be active is valuable in promoting health among the staff themselves and the individual benefits they will gain from this and in ensuring a healthy workforce.…”