Background: Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is a successful intervention for increasing physical activity\r\namong patients with a sedentary lifestyle. The method seems to be sparsely used by general practitioners (GPs) and\r\nthere is limited information about GPs� attitudes to counselling using PAP as a tool. The aim of the study was to\r\nexplore and understand the meaning of prescribing physical activity from the general practitioner�s perspective.\r\nMethods: Three focus group interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 Swedish GPs in the south\r\nof Sweden. Participants were invited to talk about their experience of using PAP. The interviews were transcribed\r\nverbatim, analysed using qualitative content analysis.\r\nResults: The analysis resulted in four categories: The tradition makes it hard to change attitude, Shared\r\nresponsibility is necessary, PAP has low status and is regarded with distrust and Lack of procedures and clear\r\nguidelines. Traditionally GPs talk with patients about the importance of an increased level of physical activity but\r\nthey do not prescribe physical activity as a treatment. Physician�s education focuses on the use of pharmaceuticals.\r\nThe responsibility for patients� physical activity level is shared with other health professionals, the patient and\r\nsociety. The GPs express reservations about prescribing physical activity. A heavy workload is a source of frustration.\r\nPAP is regarded with distrust and considered to be a task of less value and status. Using a prescription to\r\nemphasize an increased level is considered to be redundant and the GPs think it should be administered by\r\nsomeone else in the health care system. Scepticism about the result of the method was also expressed.\r\nConclusions: There is uncertainty about using PAP as a treatment since physicians lack education in nonpharmaceutical\r\nmethods. The GPs do not regard the written referral as a prioritized task and rather refer to other\r\nprofessionals in the health care system to prescribe PAP. GPs pointed out a need to create routines and\r\narrangements for the method to gain credibility and become everyday practice among GPs.
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