Physicians Can Win with Recreation! 

How It Works

Each participating physician has access to 3 different recreation prescriptions which are color coded by age group.  Because one of the ideas of the program is to get entire families exercising together, all doctors are strongly encouraged to give out prescriptions to other family member as well.  Each adult prescription includes both physical activity as well as social activity to enhance self-esteem as well as personal connectedness.  Each child prescription includes aquatic programs and after-school programs. 

The recreation prescriptions are the result of and are sustained by ongoing discussion between health care providers who can see how the program is working through the eyes of their patients, and the recreation providers who often adjust programming from season to season.  One of the goals is to place programs on the prescription that are consistent over time.

Win, Win, and... you guessed it, Win.

Physicians in the program benefit from knowing more about their community and using the recreation prescription as a way to learn more about their patients.  On the west side of Chula Vista, like in many other parts of the country, childhood obesity and early type 2 diabetes are on the rise.  More and more adults and seniors are going without insurance or are having to make the unthinkable decision to either stay housed while not being able to afford their medications, or choose homelessness and stay treated.  In this environment, physicians in this program have something, however small, to offer their struggling patients find better health. 

More and more, recreation providers are recognizing the essential role they play in community health.  Through the program, more people use their facilities and take part in structured activities.  Getting more traffic means more exposure, more word of mouth, and more paid programming.

Ultimately, families win.  Utilizing structured programming in a safe environment with encouragement from their physician and community means patients are more likely to succeed.  Giving them an important resource for health can make all the difference.