Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Major limitations in knowledge of physical activity guidelines among UK medical students revealed: implications for the undergraduate medical curriculum
  1. Michael Dunlop1,
  2. Andrew Duncan Murray2
  1. 1Centre for Sports Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
  2. 2Scottish Government Sport and Physical Activity Policy Team, The Scottish Government,  Edinburgh, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Michael Dunlop, Sport and Exercise Medicine ST3, Centre for Sports Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG7 2UH; UK, michaeldunlop{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Background Education of health professionals is a key element of the wider strategy to increase society's physical activity levels. To date, no study has directly assessed UK medical students’ knowledge of physical activity guidelines or their ability/willingness to prescribe exercise.

Methods A questionnaire survey of final year medical students in Scottish Universities was conducted prior to a presentation on the current UK guidelines.

Results Completed questionnaires (n=177) represented 37% of the final year cohorts. Physical inactivity was incorrectly perceived to be the least important risk factor to global mortality. 40% stated they were aware of current guidelines, but in a forced choice, 68% were able to correctly identify them for adults. In comparison, 97% correctly identified the UK's alcohol guidelines. 52% stated they felt adequately trained to give physical activity advice to the general public.

Conclusions The medical students in this study underestimated the risk of physical inactivity, and did not know the physical activity guidelines as well as other health promotion guidelines. A large proportion remained unconfident about giving physical activity advice. Improved education of this group is required.

  • Health promotion through physical activity
  • Physical activity promotion in primary care

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.