Physicians’ views on the role of pedometers in health promotion

Asmita Patel, Grant M. Schofield, Gregory S. Kolt, Justin W. L. Keogh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Regular pedometer use can help influence behavior (i.e., help initiate and maintain regular walking activity) that can lead to a number of health-related benefits. Compared to other physical activity monitoring devices, pedometers are less complicated to use and can be less intrusive. A pedometer can also be a more cost effective device for supporting physical activity in low-active individuals. The primary healthcare setting has been found to be an ideal venue in which to counsel low-active individuals for physical activity. PURPOSE: To examine primary care physicians’ views on the role of pedometers in health promotion. METHODS: Fifteen primary care physicians from the Auckland region of New Zealand were individually interviewed. An inductive thematic approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified. Pedometers were viewed as motivational devices that could be used to encourage low-active patients to become more active, as they provided feedback on step counts. A pedometer was also viewed as being a helpful individual behavior modification tool that could be used to increase physical activity. Physicians own personal experiences of pedometer use influenced whether they endorsed pedometer use with their patients. Physicians discussed how cost can restrict pedometer access for some patients. Some physicians stated that they would distribute free pedometers to their patients if such pedometers were donated to their practices. CONCLUSION: Pedometers were viewed as having a role in preventive health care as they are devices that can support physical activity in low-active patients. Information regarding step counts was seen as important because it could make people aware how little activity they were engaging in.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)110-110
Number of pages1
JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume46
Issue number5S Supplement 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • pedometers
  • walking
  • exercise
  • physicians

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