Step #2 Toward Being Trusted Facilities Where Physicians Refer Their Patients [Connecting Health Clubs to Healthcare Series]

North Carolina gyms are still closed, but the NC Attorney General announced that indoor gyms can reopen to members who have prescriptions from their physicians saying that they need to exercise for their health.  My research study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health between May 2019 and February 2020 did not anticipate COVID, but did compile data from physicians about characteristics of health & fitness centers/exercise professionals that they trust to refer their patients.  Step #2 of a 10-step roadmap for health & fitness centers toward being trusted facilities where physicians refer their patients is:

Reframe working with trusted exercise professionals who can develop exercise programs for their patients as a time-saver for physicians.

Thirty-eight percent of physicians surveyed mention “limited time” as a barrier to their counseling on physical activity and writing exercise prescriptions.  Physicians often do not have enough time in their office visit to do an assessment and find out what exercise their patients need.  Yes, it can take time on both sides to connect health clubs to healthcare.  But if physicians know how exercise professionals can develop exercise programs or plans for their patients, they may view exercise professionals as trusted experts who can save them hours of time compiling information handouts on exercise.  

Bantham, A. (2020). Perspectives on Exercise Prescriptions/Referrals and Patient Exercise Behavior Change: A Mixed Methods Study of Physicians and Exercise Professionals (Doctoral dissertation).