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Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Other
Master of Medical Science
Department
Biology; College of Arts & Sciences
First Advisor
Allison Ermol, PA-C
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Exercise therapy is imperative in preventing and treating many chronic diseases and it is also a widely available therapeutic option for anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. Many clinicians, however, identify barriers in successfully prescribing exercise to their patients, including time limitations of office visits, their own lack of physical activity, and overwhelmingly a lack of training in their medical schooling. This review therefore focuses on healthcare providers [P] to see if participation in training courses [I] on prescribing exercise increase the prevalence of its therapeutic usage [O] among those who are offered competency training versus providers who are not trained in exercise prescription [C] to compare outcomes of practices.
Method: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2019. A total of 10 articles consisting of randomized control trials were selected based on publication date, language the study was conducted in, age of participants, and sample population. This was later refined to 6 studies based on continuity of methods. The study design and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: The evidence collected by the studies showed statistically significant increased confidence in exercise prescription among healthcare providers who were offered competency training. The evidence, however, did not show a significant increase in exercise prescription utilization as a therapeutic intervention among prescribers. Despite this, there were significant reports of viable modalities for training and also a decrease in reported barriers to prescribing exercise in those providers who completed competency courses.
Discussion: Despite measuring different outcomes, significant positive results were found in of the studies analyzed. Barriers to clinical significance included inadequate follow-up, small sample sizes, and bias in the self-reported data. The efficacy of competency training for healthcare providers thus cannot be confirmed, despite positive findings of decreased barriers to prescribing and increased confidence in providers doing so.
Conclusion: Exercise has been shown to improve outcomes in many disease processes, including obesity, depression, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. It is also a therapeutic intervention that is little to no cost and thus accessible to nearly all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. These six studies that were selected for review found that healthcare providers who attended competency trainings on exercise prescriptions reported increased confidence in prescribing and decreased barriers in doing so. While the evidence is not strong enough to statistically say competency training increased exercise prescription rates, providers and patients may consider its therapeutic benefits. Future research is warranted to better understand outcomes post-training among healthcare providers over longer periods of time.
Recommended Citation
Hanley, Sarah, "Efficacy of Exercise Prescription Competency Training Among Healthcare Providers" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 113.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/113
Efficacy of Exercise Prescription Competency Training Among Healthcare Providers
Abstract
Introduction: Exercise therapy is imperative in preventing and treating many chronic diseases and it is also a widely available therapeutic option for anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. Many clinicians, however, identify barriers in successfully prescribing exercise to their patients, including time limitations of office visits, their own lack of physical activity, and overwhelmingly a lack of training in their medical schooling. This review therefore focuses on healthcare providers [P] to see if participation in training courses [I] on prescribing exercise increase the prevalence of its therapeutic usage [O] among those who are offered competency training versus providers who are not trained in exercise prescription [C] to compare outcomes of practices.
Method: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2019. A total of 10 articles consisting of randomized control trials were selected based on publication date, language the study was conducted in, age of participants, and sample population. This was later refined to 6 studies based on continuity of methods. The study design and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: The evidence collected by the studies showed statistically significant increased confidence in exercise prescription among healthcare providers who were offered competency training. The evidence, however, did not show a significant increase in exercise prescription utilization as a therapeutic intervention among prescribers. Despite this, there were significant reports of viable modalities for training and also a decrease in reported barriers to prescribing exercise in those providers who completed competency courses.
Discussion: Despite measuring different outcomes, significant positive results were found in of the studies analyzed. Barriers to clinical significance included inadequate follow-up, small sample sizes, and bias in the self-reported data. The efficacy of competency training for healthcare providers thus cannot be confirmed, despite positive findings of decreased barriers to prescribing and increased confidence in providers doing so.
Conclusion: Exercise has been shown to improve outcomes in many disease processes, including obesity, depression, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. It is also a therapeutic intervention that is little to no cost and thus accessible to nearly all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. These six studies that were selected for review found that healthcare providers who attended competency trainings on exercise prescriptions reported increased confidence in prescribing and decreased barriers in doing so. While the evidence is not strong enough to statistically say competency training increased exercise prescription rates, providers and patients may consider its therapeutic benefits. Future research is warranted to better understand outcomes post-training among healthcare providers over longer periods of time.