{"id":60201,"date":"2023-09-07T17:32:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T21:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60201"},"modified":"2025-12-28T14:00:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T19:00:58","slug":"encouraging-physical-activity-in-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/encouraging-physical-activity-in-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"How pharmacists can encourage physical activity in patients\u2014and why it matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

It can be awkward to tell someone they should exercise more. Most people already know how important exercise is for their health. But it\u2019s easy to make excuses not to exercise, especially when life gets busy. So, how can pharmacists encourage patients to be more physically active?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With nearly <\/span>90% of Americans living within 5 miles of a community pharmacy<\/span>, pharmacists are the <\/span>most accessible healthcare professionals<\/span>. This proximity allows pharmacists to engage with patients as often as they pick up their refills or <\/span>call the pharmacy<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>study<\/span> confirmed that Medicare patients visit their community pharmacies twice as often as they visit their primary care providers. Another study found that patients only see their primary care providers about four times a year, while they visit their community pharmacies roughly <\/span>35 times per year<\/span>. Pharmacists have a unique opportunity to build trusting relationships with patients and caregivers, supporting them along their health journey’s baby steps and milestones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to encourage physical activity in patients<\/span><\/h2>\n

As a pharmacist, many of your regular customers and patients will trust your advice. If you bring up the health benefits of an active lifestyle and how it will help them, most patients will not be offended, especially if you bring it up in a caring way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It might seem awkward and out of your comfort zone to tell someone to start exercising, but remember it\u2019s in your patient\u2019s best interest. An analysis found that <\/span>pharmacists can positively impact patients\u2019 weight management<\/span><\/a> efforts. Another <\/span>systematic review<\/span><\/a> deemed pharmacists effective in helping patients lose weight and encouraged community pharmacies to offer programs that promote a healthier lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 4 tips for how pharmacists can tout the benefits of an active lifestyle for their patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Discuss the financial impact.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Patients may not consider exercising now an investment in their future self. However, pharmacists know the expenses and risks of taking multiple medications, especially as a person ages. Encourage exercise as a way for patients to reduce their need for costly drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most treatment guidelines for chronic diseases recommend lifestyle changes as the first-line treatment. Eating a healthier diet and being physically active are the primary <\/span>lifestyle interventions<\/span><\/a> that can prevent people from needing to take medications later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research demonstrates that pharmacist-led care can <\/span>save patients thousands of dollars<\/span><\/a> by preventing hospital and emergency department visits. A three-day hospital stay costs roughly <\/span>$30,000<\/span><\/a>; a bariatric weight loss surgery can cost anywhere from <\/span>$7,400 to $33,000<\/span><\/a> before insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line is exercising can save money and you can help your patients understand that very real impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Focus on the physical and mental health benefits of exercise.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Excess body weight<\/span><\/a> can lead to many health problems like hypertension, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular problems. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> clearly demonstrates a connection between obesity and diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. More than <\/span>2.8 million people<\/span><\/a> die yearly from weight-related diseases like heart disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pharmacists can educate patients about the risk factors associated with being overweight and encourage them to make lifestyle changes to <\/span>reduce their risk<\/span><\/a> of developing complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, physical activity can help prevent and reverse many weight-related diseases, especially Type 2 diabetes. When patients are refilling diabetes medications or requesting information about them, use the opportunity to inform patients about clinical trial results that may be meaningful to them:<\/span><\/p>\n