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

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.