Abstract
Background: This paper aims to discuss how physical activity (PA) brief assessment, brief counseling, and self-monitoring tools were designed and implemented in the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS), and to report on their current use by health professionals and citizens. Methods: Three digital tools to facilitate PA promotion in primary health care (PHC) were developed: 1) a PA brief assessment tool was incorporated in the electronic health record platform “SClínico Cuidados de Saúde Primários“; 2) a brief counseling tool was developed in the software “PEM—Prescrição Eletrónica Médica” (electronic medical prescription); and 3) a “Physical Activity Card” was incorporated in an official NHS smartphone app called “MySNS Carteira”. Results: From September 2017 to June 2019, 119,386 Portuguese patients had their PA assessed in PHC. Between December 2017 and June 2019, a total of 7957 patients received brief intervention for PA by a medical doctor. Regarding the app “MySNS Carteira”, 93,320 users activated the “Physical Activity Card”, between February 2018 and December 2018. Conclusions: These tools represent key actions to promote PA among Portuguese citizens using PHC as a priority setting. Further initiatives will follow, including proper assessment of their clinical impact and training programs for health care professionals on PA promotion.
Highlights
According to the new World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity2018–2030 [1], effective national action to reverse current trends and reduce disparities in physical activity (PA) requires a “systems-based” approach, grounded on four strategic objectives
This paper aims to discuss how PA brief assessment, brief counseling, and monitoring tools were designed and implemented in the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS), and reports on its current use by health professionals and citizens
PA assessed through the “SClínico Cuidados de Saúde Primários” platform
Summary
According to the new World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity2018–2030 [1], effective national action to reverse current trends and reduce disparities in physical activity (PA) requires a “systems-based” approach, grounded on four strategic objectives (create active societies, active environments, active people, and active systems). It establishes that assessment and counseling should be made by appropriately trained healthcare providers in every single opportunity, in primary and secondary health care, as part of universal health care, ensuring community and patient involvement In this regard, and as proposed actions for member states, there is a call for the development and implementation of national standardized protocols on patient assessment and brief counseling, adjusted to the local context and culture, as well as resource availability. As proposed actions for member states, there is a call for the development and implementation of national standardized protocols on patient assessment and brief counseling, adjusted to the local context and culture, as well as resource availability The need for these actions was already highlighted on the Physical Activity Strategy for the WHO European Region 2016–2025 [2]. Further initiatives will follow, including proper assessment of their clinical impact and training programs for health care professionals on PA promotion
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