A review of the prevalence of physical activity in health professional undergraduate, postgraduate, pre qualification courses and Continuous Professional Development activities

Abstract

'Let's Make Scotland More Active' was published in 2003 by the then Scottish Executive and sets out the recommendations for increasing levels of physical activity (PA) within the population. One of the key strategy recommendations was that all patients coming into contact with primary care professionals should be offered screening and appropriate counselling for PA tailored to individual needs (paragraph 142). NHS Health Scotland has a range of existing and planned learning products and services aimed at influencing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in the area of physical activity among the practitioner and wider health improvement workforces. These resources and services seek to encourage health professionals to increasingly deliver PA brief advice as an intervention in the care of their patients. However, it is not clear whether they are being used, or indeed the extent to which physical activity and its benefits are being taught to health professionals during undergraduate, post graduate and CPD training.