Abstract
BackgroundSedentary behaviour, which may have increased among GPs due to increasing use of telemedicine, is associated with many illnesses and increased all-cause mortality.AimTo explore levels of sedentary behaviour among GPs and General Practice Specialty Trainees (GPSTs).Design & settingSequential, cross-sectional design (initial online sedentary behaviour questionnaire and subsequent thigh-worn accelerometer substudy) of GPs and GPSTs in Northern Ireland.MethodSelf-reported questionnaire data were aggregated and compared with device-measured accelerometry data.ResultsData from 353 participants (17.7% of GPs and GPSTs in Northern Ireland) revealed doctors in general practice self-reported higher workday sedentary time (10.33 hours, SD 2.97) than those in secondary care (7.9 hours, SD 3.43 [mean difference {MD} 2.43 hours; P<0.001]). An active workstation (for example, sit-stand desk), was used by 5.6% of participants in general practice, while 86.0% of those without one would consider using one in future. Active workstation users self-reported lower workday sedentary time (7.88 hours, SD 3.2) than non-users (10.47 hours, SD 2.88 [MD –2.58 hours, P = 0.001]). Accelerometer substudy participants underestimated their workday sedentary time by 0.17 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] = –1.86 to 2.20; P = 0.865), and non-workday sedentary time by 2.67 hours (95% CI = 0.99 to 4.35; P = 0.003). Most GPs (80.7%) reported increased workday sitting time compared to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while 87.0% would prefer less workday sitting time.ConclusionGPs have high levels of workday sedentary time, which may be detrimental to their health. It is imperative to develop methods to address sedentary behaviour among GPs on workdays, both for their own health and the health of their patients.
Highlights
Sedentary behaviour is defined as time spent sitting, lying or reclining, in a state of low energy expenditure, whilst awake [1]
Accelerometer sub-study participants underestimated their workday sedentary time by 0.17 hours, and non-workday sedentary time by 2.67 hours
GPs have high levels of workday sedentary time, which may be detrimental to their health
Summary
Sedentary behaviour is defined as time spent sitting, lying or reclining, in a state of low energy expenditure, whilst awake [1]. Primary care is “the cornerstone” of the UK NHS, providing over 300 million patient consultations per year [12]. By virtue of their position in the healthcare system, GPs can provide evidence-based lifestyle guidance to patients, which can play an important role in primary and secondary prevention of many illnesses. Reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity among GPs could lead to health benefits for GPs and their patients. This is relevant that GPs are performing more remote consultations [21, 22], traditionally performed while sitting down. Sedentary behaviour, which may have increased among GPs due to increasing use of telemedicine, is associated with many illnesses and increased all-cause mortality
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