Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine Gets Physical

Physical activity is by no means a new concept to the family physicians of Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine in Reno, Nevada. Both doctors hike, cycle and run regularly. But participation in the AIM-HI research study helped doctors and staff "redefine what physical activity is" according to Andrew Pasternak, MD. "It made us look at new ideas. Instead of talking about exercise with our patients, we started talking about physical activity."

"When we talk about increasing activity, patients almost always say they need to join a gym," Pasternak says. "So I ask them, 'Do you like the gym?' When they say, 'No,' I respond with, 'Then don't join the gym.'" Pasternak helps patients expand their perception of physical activity by asking, "What do you enjoy doing, and what's convenient?" Pasternak says this approach has paid off for a number of his patients. A few have achieved fairly dramatic weight loss.

Pasternak has also expanded his overall definition of fitness. "I've always tended to focus on the physical benefits of exercising and eating right." He's now more keenly aware of the emotional aspect, and counsels patients who are experiencing stress or depression to set physical activity goals.

According to Pasternak, Silver Sage's staff is more active since participating in the research study. They set individual goals and many of the staff members began walking together during lunch breaks. Making changes in their own behaviors has made them more comfortable and empathetic when talking to patients.