How future medical professionals can promote and support patients to take up physical activity was the focus of a recent event held at Aberdeen Sports Village.
A team from University of Aberdeen, RGU and members of Active Aberdeen Partnership put on the half day pilot event for first year medicine and physician associate students.
The event was designed to promote physical activity for health and wellbeing to the students, not only for their future healthcare practice but also for their own health and wellbeing, raising their awareness of physical activity opportunities in Aberdeen.
The day consisted of a number of interactive activities, including a physical activity ‘health MOT’ run by sports science students; yoga for over 60s delivered by Universities Sports and Exercise team; cardiac rehabilitation delivered by physiotherapists and walking football delivered by Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust.
Throughout the day there were opportunities to speak with representatives from a range of Active Aberdeen Partners and local providers through case-led discussions.
Professor Alan Denison, Deputy Director of the University’s Institute of Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Sciences, said: “Physical activity is a significant factor in the maintenance of health and wellbeing and the prevention and management of ill health. As such it is important as health care professionals that we know how to gather information on and measure physical activity and relate this to recommendations. We need to be aware of our role and that of other professions and services in promoting physical activity for health and supporting patients to undertake physical activity.
“The event has been carefully be evaluated and will be further developed for next year as part of Inter Professional learning opportunities we offer in the pre-registration health programmes at the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University. However it was always envisaged as an introduction and there is scope for further opportunities for students to learn more and develop skills in relation to promoting physical activity for health and wellbeing.”