Physicians’ and Medical Students’ Perceptions of Physical Activity Monitors in Patient Care

ABSTRACT Introduction Wearable activity monitors may serve as valuable tools for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in health care. We assessed the perceptions of physicians and medical students regarding the barriers and facilitators influencing the integration of activity monitors into clinical care. Methods A cross-sectional survey was completed by 55 physicians (41.3 ± 7.9 yr old; 89% male) and 31 medical students (23.6 ± 2.3 yr old; 52% male). The survey included Likert-scale items assessing perceived barriers and facilitators and the willingness of participants to use activity monitors with patients. Logistic regression was used to examine variables associated with interest in implementing wearables, adjusting for age, sex, patient volume, and attitudes toward technology. Results Compared to physicians, medical students were more likely to view monitors as improving practice efficiency and personalizing care and expressed greater enthusiasm to learn about them (all P < 0.03). Physicians more frequently cited barriers such as increased workload, electronic medical record integration challenges, and cost (all P < 0.03). Medical students were more concerned about impersonal care ( P = 0.04). Among physicians, older age predicted lower interest in monitor implementation (odds ratio = 0.93, 95% confidence interval = 0.86–0.99, P = 0.04). Stronger beliefs that wearables improve efficiency, usefulness, communication, and patient empowerment, along with availability of technical support were associated with greater interest in their adoption (all odds ratios >2.20, P < 0.001). Conclusion Medical students and younger physicians showed strong interest in incorporating wearable activity monitors into patient care. Supporting integration through targeted training and system-level supports may facilitate broader clinical adoption to help more patients lead physically active lifestyles.