Like Taylor Swift writing about a bad break up, I feel the need to blog about something that seems to me to be an injustice. I received a question, almost in the form of a plea, from a workflow consultant who needed help responding to a dilemma posed by a medical assistant. The medical assistant is responsible for asking patient's about their physical activity level, or as KP HealthConnect labels it "Exercise Activity", is confused about what to document because the provider she supports has instructed her to enter a "0" if the patient states the exercise activity was "Walking". I want to say that her doctor is probably just thinking that walking in general doesn't raise your heart rate enough to count as exercise, but why would KP have made it an option amoung the list of 50 plus exercise activities?
Now... Maybe my gut reaction is taking over here and I'm thinking too much like a patient, but if my provider told me that my walking didn't count I would be disheartened, upset, and frankly... irate.
If this thinking is true, then what is the point of our Every Body Walk campaign and why did we build a Rose Parade Float encouraging people to walk?
If walking doesn't count, then why would George Halvorson create a 5 minute video discussing the benefits of walking just 30 minutes a day?
If walking doesn't count then why would we dedicate a 80 foot long interactive walking wall at our Center for Total Health in Washington DC?
From our Every Body Walks website...
Walking is a low-impact exercise accessible to just about everybody. It's safe, simple, and doesn’t cost anything. George Halvorson, Chairman & CEO of Kaiser Permanente, explains the numerous health benefits of a regular walking regime: reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Physical activity need not be strenuous for an individual to reap significant health benefits; just 30 minutes a day (or two 15 minute sessions) of brisk walking will do the trick.
If walking doesn't count then why would Dr. Mike Moreno create a Walk With Your Doc program to encourage his patient's to exercise.
On a personal note, here is how walking has impacted my life.
On a personal note, here is how walking has impacted my life.
Back in June of 2011, my fasting glucose came back indicating I had pre-Diabetes. At the time I was also suffering from insomnia, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, asthma, weight issues, and if I'm being totally honest, depression. I was a mess, I know. I decided to take control of my health issues. Going to the gym isn't always easy because of my work schedule, but throwing on a pair of sneakers and walking whenever I had a free moment in-between meetings made exercise completely accessible. There are days when I only walk 15 minutes and there are days when I walk 6-10 miles. I would be heart broken if my doctor told me that my efforts didn't matter. Walking for me has made a significant difference in health and mental well-being. My insomnia is gone, I have signifcantly fewer fibromyalgia flare ups, the mood and spirits have brightened, my migraines have decreased significantly, and my fasting blood sugar is now at a healthy level.
