Adults spend an average of 9-10 hours sitting each day, which is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, poorer mental health and a lower quality of life. In the workplace, it can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and lead to lower engagement and higher levels of presenteeism. Most GPs spend large proportions of the work day sitting – typically over seven hours a day, so it is important to support them to become reduce this time and to become more active during their working day and in their leisure time.

We wanted to know if the use of a sit-stand desk was feasible and acceptable for GPs and their patients with general practice. To test this, we provided 42 GPs with sit-stand desks for 4 weeks, and encouraged them to used them in the standing position during consultations with patients and when performing al tasks such as administration.

GPs’ sitting time during work was 121 minutes per day (2 hours) lower after using the sit-to-stand desk for four weeks compared to baseline.

Overall, neither GPs nor patients felt that using sit-stand desks impacted consultations or patients’ care.

The desks prompted conversations with patients about physical activity. For most people, their GP is the first port of call for health advice, making it an ideal place to promote physical activity to the wider population.

What next?

Future research should look at the long-term impact of sit-stand desks on GPs’ health and work, and if they encourage GPs to raise the topic of sitting time and physical activity with patients more frequently.

Citation details

Biddle GJH, Thomas N, Edwardson CL, Clemes SA, Daley AJ. Feasibility and acceptability of general practitioners using sit–stand desks: a feasibility trial. BMJ Open. 2024. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084085

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the GPs and patients who took part in the study. Also, our thanks go to the West Midlands CRN and East Midlands CRN who helped identify participating GP practices. This study was conducted in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Amanda Daley is supported by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Professorship award. This study/research is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.