GPs' use of video and telephone consultation - implications for physical activity promotion for older adults.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led general practitioners (GPs) to adopt video and telephone consultation (VC/TC) as part of routine practice. The potential impact on physical activity (PA) promotion and prescription for older adults, in routine practice, was unknown.

Aim: To understand how VC/TC have impacted on the routine promotion of PA to older adults in GPs consultations.

Design & setting: A mixed method, cross-sectional study of GPs practice was conducted in Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2020.

Method: An online survey and interviews with GPs, explored awareness of PA guidelines, PA promotion during consultations to older adults (65+ years) and the impact on routine practice of moving to VC/TC during the pandemic.

Results: GPs from across the Island of Ireland agreed that PA promotion is part of routine practice. Analysis of interviews with GPs highlighted a need to develop practitioners' knowledge of the guidelines and themes emerged around the use of VC/TC In routine practice. Positive themes highlighted that VC/TC enabled GPs to consult with a greater number of patients, thus prioritising face-to-face (FTFCs) consultations where needed. Barriers to using VC/TC included decreased visual assessments of patients FTF.

Conclusion: GPs are continuing to use VC/TC at the initial consultation stage, however the broader and longer-term implications on PA promotion with older adults are unknown.