Step #3 Toward Being Trusted Facilities Where Physicians Refer Their Patients [Connecting Health Clubs to Healthcare Series]

Twenty-two percent of physicians surveyed note patient cost concerns as a barrier to their referring patients to health & fitness centers.  How can more health & fitness centers and exercise professionals overcome this barrier to work with patients referred by their physicians?  

Step #3 of a 10-step roadmap for health & fitness centers toward being trusted facilities where physicians refer their patients is:

 Communicate the value proposition for exercise programs and professionals and reframe referrals as a cost-saver for patients.

Other research studies also find that patient cost concerns are one of the most cited barriers to physicians writing exercise prescriptions/referrals.  However, physicians also note affordable offers as a facilitator to their referring patients to local health & fitness centers.  Many health & fitness center programs are available to referred patients at a reduced rate, and when participants complete the programs they can convert to membership at regular prices.  Physicians also recognize that surgeries and medications can be more expensive than lifestyle management.  Research shows that exercise prescription/referral in the primary care setting is considered a “best buy,” a cost-effective intervention.

But if you consider the cost of medications and other healthcare-related costs, I think exercise programs are on the cheap side. Physician

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