Discussions about physical activity in general practice: analysis of video-recorded consultations.

Background Clinical guidance recommends promotion of physical activity during general practice consultations. The frequency and content of physical activity discussions in UK general practice are poorly understood.

Aim To explore the content of physical activity discussions during routine consultations between patients and general practitioners (GPs).

Design and setting Secondary analysis of video-recorded UK general practice consultations from the One in a Million study.

Methods We screened 294 consultation transcripts, identifying consultations that included or omitted physical activity advice when recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. We coded the content, quality and depth of advice provided by GPs.

Results Physical activity was relevant to management according to clinical guidance in 175/294 (59.5%) consultations. In 64/175 (36.6%) of these consultations physical activity was discussed as part of clinical management and the depth of discussion was judged as 'meaningful' in 22 (12.6%). Whilst physical activity advice tended to be given most often for musculoskeletal problems, depth of advice did not appear to be related to the presenting problem. When physical activity advice was relevant and omitted, consultations prioritised another overriding presenting problem, or clinical management focussed on another intervention.

Conclusion Physical activity advice, following national guidance, was potentially relevant to over half of GP consultations; GPs were able to deliver advice of varying depth in a third of these consultations. Future work should explore ways of delivering physical activity advice effectively, efficiently and equitably within the constraints of general practice.