During the 2023/24 academic year, we delivered PACC training as part of the curriculum for Year 1 students studying medicine and dietetics at Newcastle University.
Through previous work, we had identified barriers to professionals being able to access CPD training once in the workforce due to issues such capacity and time commitments. By embedding PACC training in the curriculum, we aimed to increase physical activity knowledge of the future professional workforce while they were attending university.
Over 350 students studying medicine, including the Accelerated Medicine programme and Dietetics, undertook the training at Newcastle University in December 2023.
Before the training, only 3.74% of participants said that they had an advanced or good level of knowledge around the Chief Medical Officer’s Physical Activity Guidelines. This improved significantly after participation in the training, with 83.23% reporting an ‘advanced’ or ‘good’ level of knowledge.
In addition, 95% of students who attended the training stated that they felt more able and confident about promoting physical activity to patients after the training than they did before.
“Its been really useful”
I think it’s important as a medical student to understand and take a more holistic view of treatment. For example, at a diabetes clinic, patients might be advised about the different drugs they can take but not physical activity as something to sit alongside that. Apart from the great experience visiting these sessions with patients, it’s really shown me the importance of empathy for patients and that we need to listen to their experiences and understand where they’re coming from. Everyone is different and there is a wide variety of perspectives. It’s been really useful.
Cerys Davies, medical student
Although I knew before, and everyone knows, that physical activity is good for you, I feel like this experience has given me tools and resources to be able to facilitate exercise. It’s a good tool to have under your belt.
Sophie Blake-James, medical student