Integrating Exercise Counselling into the Medical School Curriculum: A Workshop-Based Approach Using Behaviour Change Techniques
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Authors
Brennan, Andrea
D'Urzo, Katrina
Fenuta, Alyssa
Houlden, Robin
Tomasone, Jennifer
Date
2017-07-31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Keyword
Medical education , Physical activity prescription , Curriculum , Theory of planned behavior
Alternative Title
Abstract
Objective: Physician physical activity (PA) counselling remains low due partly to lack of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of providing learning opportunities to develop competency, given the strong associations between PA and health. This study aimed to describe the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in an “Exercise Expo” workshop and examine the workshop’s effectiveness for improving social cognitions to discuss exercise with patients. Methods: Second year medical students (N=54; Mage±SD=25.4±2.95 years) completed questionnaires assessing attitudes, perceived behaviour control (PBC), subjective norms, and intentions to provide PA counselling pre and post-workshop. Repeated-measures ANOVAs evaluated changes in these Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs.
Results: The most utilized BCTs included presenting information from credible sources, with opportunities for practicing the behaviour and receiving feedback. Significant increases in attitudes, PBC and intentions to discuss PA were observed from pre-post Exercise Expo (p≤0.01). No statistically significant differences in subjective norms were observed (p=0.06). Conclusions: The Exercise Expo significantly improved social cognitions for PA counselling among medical students. Future interventions should target improvements in subjective norms to increase the likelihood the workshop improves PA counselling behaviour. The evidence supports the usefulness of a workshop-based educational strategy to enhance medical students’ social cognitions for PA counselling.
Description
This is the Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine on 2017-07-31, available online: https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827617722754
Citation
Brennan, A., D’Urzo, K., Fenuta, A., Houlden, R., & Tomasone, J. R. (2017). Integrating exercise counselling into the medical school curriculum : A workshop-based approach using behaviour change techniques. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.15(1), 84-107. doi: 10.1177/1559827617722754
Publisher
Sage Journals