A Pilot Study of the Views of General Practitioners Regarding Exercise for the Treatment of Depression. Issue 4 (13th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stanton, Robert; Franck, Chris; Reaburn, Peter; Happell, Brenda
• Is Part Of: Perspectives in psychiatric care. Volume 51:Issue 4(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2014-10-13
• Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- Periodicals; Psychiatric nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.890231
• DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-5990

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ppc12088-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To investigate the views of general practitioners (GPs) regarding exercise and the treatment of depression.</p> </sec> <sec id="ppc12088-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Methods</title> <p>Twenty GPs completed a 25‐item survey investigating their knowledge, beliefs, perceived benefits and barriers, and recommendations to patients regarding exercise for the treatment of depression. The exercise habits of the GPs were also recorded.</p> </sec> <sec id="ppc12088-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Findings</title> <p>GPs are positive toward exercise in the treatment of depression despite low levels of confidence in prescribing exercise or limited measurable benefits. Exercise patterns of GPs were not associated with GP exercise prescription habits.</p> </sec> <sec id="ppc12088-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Practice Implications</title> <p>Education, use of support materials and referral schemes, and increasing exercise behavior among GPs may increase the use of exercise as treatment for people with depression.</p> </sec> </abstract>