Knowledge and Role Modelling Deficiencies in the Physical Activity Realm, Significant Intervention Required in Australian Medical Students; MEDx Update

Background: The next generation of doctors’ biggest challenge will be managing and treating non- communicable disease and they may be ill-prepared. The MEDx study explores the impact of medical education on student knowledge and attitudes towards exercise as medicine and associations with students own physical activity (PA) levels. Summary of Work: Ongoing biannual online surveys (2014-2016) of postgraduate Deakin University (Australia) medical students exploring knowledge of, attitudes toward, and participation in exercise as medicine. Findings have led to new PA learning objectives in the medical curriculum. Summary of Results: Repeat surveys of >500 students, across 4 years revealed that attitudes towards exercise as medicine were resoundingly positive, indicating significant support for curriculum inclusion. Even so, student PA levels are low, with less than one-third of students meeting Australian Physical Activity Guidelines (APAG). Drivers for engaging in PA tended to be mental or physical health related rather than voluntary students reported that university commitments took away time for PA. The introduction of Exercise as Medicine learning of objectives raised student awareness of APAG from 0.7 to 2.6% in 1 year but failed to change PA participation. Discussion: Attitude to PA was resoundingly positive, participation was however low, mirrored in both the USA and UK. The introduction of learning objectives boosted student knowledge of APAG. Similar results have been shown when introducing brief curriculum additions in other areas such as nutrition. Unfortunately the impact thus far has been small and thus a more significant, structured program is required. Staff role modelling and timetable modification to encourage student PA levels should also be addressed. Conclusion: Teaching PA learning objectives improves student knowledge and possibly PA behaviour but the university environment itself hinders PA. A more scaffolded and expansive curriculum is likely to be needed to translate this knowledge and role-modelling behaviour to improved patient outcomes. Take Home Messages: Learning objectives in a medical curriculum that target knowledge of and attitudes towards PA may improve the health of patients and doctors.