Sedentary behaviour in General Practice; Should we be taking a stand?

Problem

Excessive sedentary behaviour is associated with a number of adverse health outcomes and increased all-cause mortality. Despite this, General Practice has traditionally been a highly sedentary job. However, a recent systematic review identified that sedentary behaviour among GPs has had minimal previous investigation. GPs are at the coalface of the NHS, with unique opportunities for the promotion of healthy lifestyles. They are also among the most trusted professions within the British public. GPs who are more physically active are more likely to recommend physical activity to their patients. Patients are more likely to act on lifestyle advice from their clinician if they feel that the clinician follows the lifestyle advice themselves. By reducing their sedentary behaviour and increasing their physical activity, GPs could therefore play a crucial role in creating a less sedentary and more physically active society. This study gained quantitative data on levels of sedentary behaviour among General Practitioners working in the UK NHS.

Approach

A multi-item, validated, sedentary behaviour questionnaire survey was disseminated to GPs working in Northern Ireland. Subsequently, a purposive, maximally varied sample of 20 participants were recruited to wear thigh-worn accelerometers and complete a sleep/work log. This allowed comparison of subjective, self-reported data with objective, accelerometer data regarding their levels of sedentary behaviour.

Findings

Out of 1999 GPs in Northern Ireland, the questionnaire received 352 valid responses (response rate of 18%). Overall mean workday sedentary time for GPs was 10 hours 20 minutes. Overall mean non-workday sedentary time was 4 hrs 47 minutes. Only 6% of GPs had access to an active workstation, such as a sit-stand desk. 86% of those who didn’t have an active workstation would consider using one. GPs who would not consider using an active workstation were older than those who would consider using one (45 vs 40 years (p = 0.017)). Those that had access to an active workstation had an overall mean workday sedentary time of 7 hours 53 mins. Those that did not have access to an active workstation had an overall mean workday sedentary time of 10 hours 28 mins. This was a statistically significant difference of 2 hours 35 mins (t = 3.459; p = 0.001). 81% of GPs reported they are spending more time sitting in work now than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 87% of GPs would prefer less time sitting in work.

Consequences

Sedentary behaviour among GPs has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the vast majority of GPs having excessive sedentary behaviour. Further research is required to identify ways of reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity among GPs in order to improve the health and happiness of General Practice staff and patients alike.