Understanding how GPs promote physical activity as a treatment for depression

What we did

The project had three parts:

• We looked at the published research on barriers and facilitators to physical activity promotion for depression among all types of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and health visitors
• We sent out a survey to GPs across the UK to ask them which barriers and facilitators they most commonly experience when promoting physical activity for depression
• We interviewed a selection of GPs who completed the survey to understand their experiences when promoting physical activity for depression

What we found and what this means

Our systematic review findings suggest healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the barriers to patients becoming more active is key to how they promote physical activity. However, by tailoring physical activity advice to the patient’s needs and expectations surrounding physical activity, healthcare professionals can try to address patient barriers such as poor physical health, low motivation and a lack of confidence.

In our survey, we found that most GPs don’t feel they have been trained in how to promote physical activity for depression. However, they still report feeling like they have the skills and responsibility to promote it to patients with depression. Half of GPs reported that promoting other treatments for depression, such as antidepressants and talking therapies, was more urgent and took priority over physical activity.

This research showed the context GPs work in influences how and when they promote physical activity for depression to patients. Some GPs reported there weren’t enough physical activity referral schemes for patients, and there could be financial barriers for patients to access these schemes.

Our interviews with GPs also indicated awareness of the evidence supporting the use of physical activity to treat depression varied. Some GPs told us they were confident and aware of strong evidence that physical activity is a useful part of managing depression. Others highlighted more awareness is needed from other practitioners to improve the promotion of physical activity as a treatment for depression in general practice.

What next?

We are putting together recommendations to improve the promotion of physical activity as a treatment for depression in general practice. These are based on our findings and input from stakeholders including healthcare professionals and academics working in primary care and public health.

Outputs

This research has been presented at both national and international conferences including the Society for Academic Primary Care, the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine, and the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity.