Table 5. Approaches to be considered by physicians for physical activity counseling during medical sessions.

Leave all questions and guidance for physical activity and other healthy habits until the end of the medical session and make evaluations using information obtained in the first and last sessions.

Re-evaluate the patient's physical activity level using the same tool. Review behavioral stage and whether the benefits identified for the patient in the first session have been maintained. Re-evaluate the patient's barriers using the same question (or tool) and find out why the advice was not followed. Check on what type of physical activity was performed. Check whether there was any change in behavioral stage and whether there is a need to change the approach (use a questionnaire and evaluate what the patient says about performing physical activity). Find out what changes have occurred as a consequence of the physical activity that the patient most enjoyed. Reinforce the changes that were obtained. Make sure that the patient understood why some barriers were not surmounted. Check on the need to review goals, schedules and physical activity type. Get the patient to repeat the program established for both of you, and make it clear that this is a commitment between both of you, but principally established for the patient. Rewrite guidance in an objective and clear manner.