A Web Utility To Improve Access To Exercise-Based Community Health Resources

PURPOSE: Physical inactivity is a public health crisis and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Implementation of the physical activity vital sign in the electronic health record at our institution has improved our ability to track, analyze, and intervene in patient care with physical activity recommendations. Patients seen in referral-based physical consultation visits with physicians championing clinical implementation of Exercise is Medicine are given exercise prescriptions, but often are not provided with specific resources to aid completion of those prescriptions. The purpose of this project was to develop a point-of-care guide for clinicians and patients to allow rapid access to geographically specific information about free or low-cost health and fitness resources. We hypothesized that a user-friendly website with button features will allow patients in central Pennsylvania to better meet their exercise goals. The website was built with a user-friendly interface, enabling it to be replicated at other health systems. METHODS: A basic user-friendly website would need to be designed. It must be constructed to be easily updated and replicated within other health systems. Students will compile a database of free and low-cost fitness centers, parks, and applications along with contact information. Each entry would be labeled by its county to permit construction of a search engine to connect clinicians and patients with resources specific to their location. RESULTS: A JavaScript search function was able to return lists of resources in response to a button-click event. This function involves the rapid search of a database stored online in a separate file, allowing real-time updates to the resource list without disrupting the site. The website can be accessed at https://andrew-sugarman.github.io/. CONCLUSIONS: There is an unmet need for increased accessibility to tools that facilitate healthy lifestyle habits and improved physical activity levels of patients. We have successfully developed a point-of-care button-navigated web resource which connects patients with exercise resources specific to their location. We aim to provide this resource as a tool that can be easily replicated to promote physical activity at other health systems throughout the country.