Prof. Dr. Gıyasettin DEMIRHAN (Chair)
Former Dean, Faculty of Sports Sciences
Hacettepe University
Turkey
Prof. Dr. Gıyasettin Demirhan is working at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Sport Sciences. He is Head of Physical Education and Sport Teacher Education Department. He is a member of some international scientific association like AIESEP, FIEP, ECSS. Currently his research interests are critical thinking, information communication technologies, relationship between physical activity and academic performance/cognitive functions, risk perception in outdoor-adventure sports. He published 33 articles in international refereed journals and 52 articles in national referred journals. Also, he has 2 books and 18 book chapters in physical education and sport sciences. He presented more than 120 papers in international and national scientific congresses and completed 20 international and national scientific research projects in his own research field. He was as keynote and invited speaker at many national and international scientific meetings. Also, he organized many international and national scientific meetings.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Physicians about Physical Activity Recommendations in Turkey
Gıyasettin Demirhan1, Emre Bilgin1 Yılmaz Yüksel2 Mustafa Arıcı3
1 Faculty of Sports Sciences, Hacettepe University, Turkey
2 Hasan Doğan School of Physical Education and Sports, Karabük University, Turkey
3 Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Turkey
The aim of this study is to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of physicians in different specialties about physical activity recommendations in Turkey. The data were collected through a nationwide survey. The overall response rate was 45.1%. In total, 2257 responses were received. One thousand ninety-nine (1099) of them were suitable for evaluation. Although most of the physicians are aware that they do not have adequate knowledge to prescribe exercise and daily and weekly physical activity recommendations, they recommend risk-free physical activities like walking. Nearly half of the physicians do not participate in physical activities despite knowing the benefits of it. Physicians are aware of this situation and almost all physicians believe that they need education about physical activity and exercise. Yet, many barriers, both institutional and individual, prevent physicians from improving themselves on physical activity, spare time to recommend, and following the physical activity behavior of patients. In conclusion, it can be said that Turkish physicians know the benefits of physical activity and recommend simple, easy, low-risk physical activities to their patients. Although many physicians participate in regular physical activity more than half of the physicians who participated in the study have no physical activity habits. It is worth noting that even if the physicians recommend physical activity, they do not have enough knowledge and expertise about physical activity and exercise prescribing. Physicians are aware of this situation and know that they need training in physical activity and exercise prescribing.