The sources of risk factor information for general practitioners: is physical activity under-recognised?

Objective: To identify and compare the amount of material on physical activ ity and the management of smoking, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia i n medical journals and magazines frequently read by general practitioners. Method: Qualitative study assessing the total number of articles and advert isements to which Australian GPs are exposed in journals and medical magazi nes they are likely to read. Results: Only 6% of articles about cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor s in the Medline search and 5% in the medical magazine search discussed exe rcise prescription or how to start and maintain an exercise program. Most C VD risk factor articles were on the pharmacological treatment of hypertensi on (42%), followed by hypercholesterolaemia (32%) and smoking cessation (20 %). A review of medical magazines found similarly ranked results, and a cou nt of advertisements indicated 67% related to hypertension, 26% to hypercho lesterolaemia and 7% to smoking cessation. Conclusions: GPs are less well informed by the medical media about physical activity than about other traditional CVD risk factors, although the epide miological evidence for their health benefits is similar. Strategies should be developed to inform doctors about the evidence of benefits from regular moderate physical activity, and for GPs to recommend exercise in most clin ical encounters.