Exercise is medicine, and physical activity is a vital sign.
Supporting safe, appropriate physical activity can be an important part of helping patients meet their goals. In addition to supporting general health and wellness, moving more can help patients avoid falls, improve their mental health, and manage chronic conditions. Some teams are equipped with the expertise of a kinesiologist or a physiotherapist, but for those teams who aren’t, physical activity is something that all care providers can work together to build into their patients’ care.
How are AFHTO members working as teams to help their patients to move more?
In March 2017, AFHTO members came together for Get Moving!, an interprofessional workshop for teams to exchange their ideas and knowledge about helping patients move more. They shared what they’ve learned about incorporating physical activity into primary care, addressing four main themes:
- Physical activity for general health and wellness
- Physical activity for mental health
- Physical activity to prevent falls and promote health in seniors
- Physical activity for patients with chronic illness
We also heard stories from the field, as teams told us about the physical activity initiatives they already have in place. These include Team Unbreakable, a mental-health running group for teenagers; integration of kinesiologists in a primary care team; and Walk with Your Doc, a weekly walking program led by a FHT doctor. Clinton FHT has recently shared the story of Walking Wonders, a seniors’ walking and healthy-lifestyle program group delivered by a FHT dietician and nurse practitioner in partnership with the YMCA and the Central Huron Community Complex. This program is free to join and cost-effective for the team. Participants receive a healthy snack, blood pressure measurement, and lifestyle education. They also benefit from the opportunity to network with their peers in a safe, accessible space.
How can my team get involved?
AFHTO members have convened an interprofessional physical activity Community of Practice (CoP). The group share ideas and work together to overcome the challenges they experience when working with their teams to build more movement into patient care. Anyone from an AFHTO-member team can join. To sign up, contact Laura Belsito, clinical knowledge and translation specialist with the QIDS program.
More resources
- Welland McMaster FHT was featured in the Catharines Standard in August 2017 for their forest therapy program. You can read about it here.
- The Centre for Family Medicine FHT and the University of Waterloo published an environmental scan of 102 FHTs to gain a better understanding of the current use of physical activity as medicine in primary care. Learn more here.
- Got one to add? Contact us.