¿Cómo prescriben ejercicio los médicos de la Región de Coquimbo?

Emilio Bresky Gomez; Domingo  Lancellotti Giganti; Joaquín  Cortés Ledezma; Catalina Herrera Sola; Amanda  Rosselot Carrera

doi:10.59856/arch.soc.chil.med.deporte.v70i2.110

Authors

Emilio Bresky Gomez Unidad de Baromedicina, Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9545-8302
Domingo Lancellotti Giganti Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9998-450X
Joaquín Cortés Ledezma Centro de Salud Familiar de Freire, Temuco, Chile https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1255-8298
Catalina Herrera Sola Centro de Salud Familiar de Freire, Temuco, Chile https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3851-3059
Amanda Rosselot Carrera Centro de Salud Familiar de Río Hurtado, Pichasca, Chile https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3767-3311

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59856/arch.soc.chil.med.deporte.v70i2.110

Keywords:

Physical exercise, Physicians, Prescription, Medical Education, Public Health

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the prescription of physical exercise by physicians in the Coquimbo Region during 2023.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study based on a 20-question survey in Microsoft Forms. Personal, academic, and work factors were analyzed and their relationship with the characteristics of exercise prescription was examined. Chi-square tests with a significance level of 5% were applied for statistical analysis.

Results: 141 responses were obtained. 75% reported prescribing exercise regularly in their medical care, mostly verbally (58%). Only 36% have received formal training, but 92% are willing to be trained. The main barriers to prescribing were lack of time and the patient's clinical context; those who worked only in primary care reported lack of time as a barrier to prescribing more often (P=0.004). Only 23% of respondents exercised >5 hours per week, and those who exercised tended to prescribe more.

Discussion: A gap in medical training was identified: there is little training and high interest in receiving it. Those who have received training show greater frequency and detail in prescribing. Likewise, those who show an active personal life also tend to recommend these habits more to their patients. Measures such as standardizing prescriptions, formal training, and encouraging personal exercise habits among professionals could improve the way exercise is prescribed and, consequently, the health of the population.

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