Physical Activity Training in Australian Medical Education

Abstract

PURPOSE: Previous research has demonstrated that Australian physicians do not feel comfortable communicating with their patients about participating in regular physical activity (PA). This shortcoming may be due to a lack of training during medical school. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality and quantity of PA training in Australian medical schools to better guide programs on how they can modify their curricula in order to improve the physician-patient interaction regarding daily PA. METHODS: The websites of all 19 accredited Australian medical schools were explored to determine the amount of PA training listed as a part of their curricula. Program leaders at each school were contacted, via email or telephone, to introduce the study and request an appointment to conduct the survey. When necessary, the option of completing an online version of the survey was offered. The survey asked program leaders to describe the amount, content, form, and timing of their PA training. RESULTS: No Australian medical school websites reported including PA training in their curricula. Seventeen (89%) completed either the phone interview or the online survey. Fifteen schools (88%) reported providing PA training with 8 (53%) providing instruction on the 2014 Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines. Nine of the 15 (60%) schools stated that their students received training on properly referring their patients who needed exercise, PA or physical therapy to an accredited professional. However, only 6 of these 15 (40%) schools reported that they felt their curriculum included a sufficient level of training to prepare students for counseling their patients on exercise/physical activity programs. The most common barriers that medical schools experienced in offering PA training was a lack of time to fit more material into their curricula. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of medical schools in Australia reported including PA training in their curricula, even though this training was not mentioned on their websites. While PA training is being included in Australian medical school curricula, there appears to be a need for greater emphasis on instruction regarding the national PA guidelines, how physicians can refer their patients to PA specialists, and ensuring that future physicians are adequately prepared to provide PA counseling.