• H Kassam, V Tzortziou Brown, P O'Halloran, P Wheeler, J Fairclough, N Maffulli, and D Morrissey.
• Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mann Ward, Mile End Hospital, London, UK.
• Postgrad Med J. 2014 Dec 1; 90 (1070): 680-4.

AimSport and exercise medicine (SEM) aims to manage sporting injuries and promote physical activity. This study explores general practitioners' (GPs) awareness, understanding and utilisation of their local SEM services.DesignA questionnaire survey, including patient case scenarios, was administered between February and May 2011.Participants And Setting693 GPs working in Cardiff and Vale, Leicester and Tower Hamlets were invited to participate.Results244 GPs responded to the questionnaire (35.2% response rate). Less than half (46%; 112/244) were aware of their nearest SEM service and only 38% (92/244) had a clear understanding on referral indications. The majority (82%; 199/244) felt confident advising less active patients about exercise. There were divergent management opinions about the case scenarios of patients who were SEM referral candidates. Overall, GPs were significantly more likely to refer younger patients and patients with sport-related problems rather than patients who would benefit from increasing their activity levels in order to prevent or manage chronic conditions (p<0.01). GPs with previous SEM training were significantly more likely to refer (p<0.01). The majority (62%; 151/244) had never referred patients to their local SEM clinics but of those who had 75% (70/93) rated the service as good.ConclusionsThere is a lack of awareness and understanding among GPs on the role of SEM within the National Health Service which may be resulting in suboptimal utilisation especially for patients who could benefit from increasing their activity levels.Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

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