The views of GPs about using sit-stand desks: an observational study.

Gregory J H Biddle,Stacy A Clemes,Charlotte L Edwardson,Amanda J Daley,Nicholas Thomas

doi:10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0203

Abstract

Occupational sitting is associated with negative health outcomes. Sit-stand workstations have been shown to reduce sitting time in office workers, although there is no evidence on whether this change to practice would be acceptable to GPs. To investigate GPs views about the use of sit-stand desks within general practice and the potential impact they may have on the nature and quality of consultations with adult patients. Observational study involving GPs located across the UK. An online survey was emailed to members of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and shared on social media. Only GPs working in the UK were eligible. The survey included questions on socio-demographics, GPs views about the use of sit-stand desks within their work, their levels of physical activity, total time spent sitting at work each day, and time spent at work. 14 142 surveys were sent by the RCGP to their members with 810 GPs responding, with a further 33 responding via social media. 60.6% of GPs would like a sit-stand desks in their consultation room, while 19.2% already had one. Most GPs thought sit-stand desks could be used for telephone consultations (91.9%) and administration tasks (92.3%). There was less agreement about whether they could be used during face-to-face consultations (35.0% agreed), with the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship raised as the primary concern. The implementation of sit-stand desks had support from GPs, but their possible impact on the doctor-patient relationship should be considered in future research.

Highlights

Sedentary behaviour in occupational settings has been associated with an increased risk of disease and conditions, including type 2 diabetes [1], musculoskeletal disorders [2], poor mental health [3,4], and a lower quality of life [5]
The implementation of sit-stand desks had support from general practitioners (GPs), but their possible impact on the doctor-patient relationship should be considered in future research
This study found that GPs would support the implementation of sit-stand desks within general practice, as long as consideration was given to the impact they may have on the doctor-patient relationship

Summary

Introduction

Sedentary behaviour in occupational settings has been associated with an increased risk of disease and conditions, including type 2 diabetes [1], musculoskeletal disorders [2], poor mental health [3,4], and a lower quality of life [5]. It is important to explore ways in which GPs might be provided with opportunities to be less sedentary at work, potentially using sit-stand desks, which allow the user to either sit or stand at work Might this approach enable GPs to become less sedentary, but the use of sit-stand desks may prompt GPs to routinely have conversations with patients about reducing the time spent sitting and increasing physical activity levels to improve health. This is important because a large amount of the population typically sit for most of the day and are insufficiently physically active each day/week [14]. Sit-stand workstations have been shown to reduce sitting time in office workers, there is no evidence on whether this change to practice would be acceptable to GPs

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