Physical activity assessments can help your patients improve their health
Some of your patients may understand the benefits of physical activity, but be afraid to exercise because they
think they might fall or hurt themselves. You can help your patients improve their health and overcome their
fears by completing a physical activity assessment during their appointment. Please talk with your Medicare
patients about how they can safely add physical activity to their daily routine. The physical activity counseling
strategy below may help.
| Ask |
Address behavior change agenda
- Have you ever participated in regular physical activity?
- What activities do you enjoy?
|
| Advise
|
Provide personalized information on benefits of change
- Regular physical activity for 30 min/day, on most days of the week, will
substantially improve your health.
|
| Assess |
Address previous attempts, identify barriers, readiness for change
- Have you tried to increase your physical activity in the past?
|
| Assist
|
Strategize to overcome barriers, match advice to stage of change
- Discuss situations when patient is most likely to fail and strategize a plan.
|
| Arrange |
Arrange follow-up, inquire about behavior and readiness for change
- Arrange follow-up; praise attempts at change; stress long-term commitment.
|
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