Be a Resource. Hold your Patients Accountable.  After recommending exercise or referring a patient to a certified exercise professional, check back with your patient and the pro to see if an appointment was made and a suitable exercise program started.  Follow up with a phone call or at their next visit to see how they're doing.  Exercise is a choice.  As their physician, you have an interest in keeping your patients healthy.   Be Familiar with Gyms and Fitness Classes in the Area.  Some patients won't know what to do when their doctor prescribes regular exercise. Help them get started. Give them the Starting an Exercise Program Patient Handout. You may want to add addresses, phone numbers and Web sites of local gyms and fitness classes. Make it easy for them. Have brochures on classes and athletic leagues from yoga and pilates classes to softball and basketball leagues. Suggest a Fitness Friend. With so many obstacles to maintaining an exercise program, it's hard to do it alone. Encouragement from you will get them started. Support from friends and family will keep them going. Have your patient exercise with a friend. Fitness is contagious. Keep them motivated and they will begin to see, and feel, the benefits of exercise.   Inspire Action. Share Your Success Stories. Do you follow up with your patients and hold them accountable? How and where do you patients exercise? Do you tell your patients about fitness facilities and classes in your area? How do your patients stay motivated? Tell us about it.   See previous emails in the series: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

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