Many doctors still need convincing about using exercise as an intervention
DR TELESILLA WARDLE GP • London-based surgery
“H
aving always exercised, I’m a strong believer that exercise
is medicine. I’ve been instrumental in setting up an exercise group in my locality, to which I refer my patients who have complex musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems that require expertly guided aerobic activity. As GPs we can advise, but we can’t make people take their
medication, exercise or eat properly. This doesn’t give us the excuse not to keep trying though. I believe GPs who don’t like to prescribe exercise are often those who don’t lead healthy lifestyles themselves and haven’t invested in the benefits of exercise. Taking physical activity off the QOF will negatively impact
patients. The trial period was too limited to produce any statistically significant data, but this doesn’t deny its value. For the Department of Health to continue using exercise
as an indicator that contributes to health, I think the fitness industry needs to become less frightening to body-conscious people, as well as more approachable financially. I think it would also be helpful if the fitness industry were to strike up relationships with GP practices to help set up cheap, entry- level exercise in the community, similar to the one I’ve helped to establish in Haringey.
” April 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
DEAN HODGKIN Consultant • Ragdale Hall & énergie
shows exercise is a viable alternative to prescription drugs as a mode of treatment for many life-threatening health conditions, but this isn’t common knowledge among health practitioners, let alone the man and woman on the street. Including it within the QOF conveyed its importance as an effective intervention, both to GPs and to the public at large. There’s no question that healthcare professionals, in some
“W
quarters, still require convincing of the value of exercise as an intervention so, as an industry, we must push for the proliferation of evidence-based studies. Maybe their concerns centre around the integrity of our
industry and our ability to deliver on our promise, so we must continue to drive the aspiration for high levels of service. A meaningful long-term partnership with the health sector can only exist if we can guarantee, at every point of contact, a quality exercise experience with understanding of, and appropriate advice for, members who present with health conditions. Operators and individuals must commit to ongoing training to upskill front-line staff, ensuring they’re comfortable in dealing with all health issues they might encounter.
” Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 31
ithin the fitness sector, we’re well aware that research
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ANDRESR
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