Emma speaks to GP Dr Callum Leese about the importance of physical activity and how primary care professionals can promote it to their patients.

Callum is a GP in Aberfeldy, Scotland, and also works at the University of Dundee, where his research focuses on physical activity promotion and implementation in primary care. He is also the Royal College of GPs co-lead for physical activity.

In this conversation, Callum talks about his research, including work with the WHO looking at physical activity promotion in policy across Europe, and RCGP initiatives like the Active Practice Charter and parkrun practices and how these can benefit both patients and staff.

He offers advice for GPs on how to raise the issue of physical activity in consultations and discusses the importance of tailoring exercise advice to patients with specific health conditions.

He also talks about a fantastic initiative he’s involved with, which is aiming for his home town of Aberfeldy to become the healthiest town in Scotland, and his work with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, where he leads the physical activity special interest group.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

RCGP physical activity hub

RCGP parkrun practices

Moving Medicine - website from Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine

British Society of Lifestyle Medicine

Callum’s Movement Prescription podcast

Aberfeldy healthiest town website

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