Exercise as therapy? Results from group interviews with general practice teams involved in an inner-London 'prescription for exercise' scheme

Abstract

As part of an inner-London 'prescription for exercise' scheme, group interviews were conducted with clinical and support staff from participating general practices. Interviews took place between August and November 1995 to identify the practices' reasons for joining the scheme, the perceived health benefits to patients of the scheme, and criteria for selection and referral of patients onto the scheme. The results showed that the referring practice members saw exercise promotion as a therapeutic option, rather than an instrument for primary prevention. They were cautious in their referral criteria because of family health services authority guidelines. If future schemes are to develop they must distinguish between these perspectives in their promotion of physical activity.