Cost-effectiveness of physical activity counselling in general practice

Abstract

AIM: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the \u27Green Prescription\u27 physical activity counselling programme in general practice. METHOD: Prospective cost-effectiveness study undertaken as part of a cluster randomised controlled trial with 12-month follow-up of 878 \u27less-active\u27 patients aged 40-79 years in 42 general practices in the Waikato. The intervention was verbal advice and a written exercise prescription given by general practitioners, with telephone exercise specialist follow-up compared with usual care. Main outcome measures included cost per total and leisure-time physical activity gain from health-funders\u27 and societal perspectives. RESULTS: Significant increases in physical activity were found in the randomised controlled trial. Programme-cost per patient was NZ170 dollars from a funder\u27s perspective. The monthly cost-effectiveness ratio for total energy expenditure achieved was 11 dollars per kcal/kg/day. The incremental cost of converting one additional \u27sedentary\u27 adult to an \u27active\u27 state over a twelve-month period was NZ1,756 dollars in programme costs. CONCLUSION: Verbal and written physical activity advice given in general practice with telephone follow-up is an inexpensive way of increasing activity for sedentary people, and has the potential to have significant economic impact through reduction in cardiovascular and other morbidity and mortality.<br /