Working with healthcare professionals to promote physical activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 175791392097825
Author(s):  
D Vishnubala ◽  
A Pringle

The UK Chief Medical Officer guidelines provide convincing evidence of the role of physical activity (PA) in the prevention and management of a number of long-term conditions. Yet physical inactivity remains an important public health priority. Healthcare professionals (HCP) have been identified as being very important for the promotion of PA to their patients. Yet a number of barriers are faced by HCP in this respect including awareness, knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived competence, and time. This paper aims to share current projects and practices and reflect on the challenges of changing the behaviour of HCP to provide physical activity advice.

Author(s):  
Robert Zarr ◽  
William Bird

There is a shift in healthcare from treatment of diseases based on the medical model, to a more holistic approach based on prevention and health promotion, using social and environmental factors that impact on an individual to improve their health and prevent disease. This shift is in response to the rapid rise in long-term conditions such as obesity, diabetes, dementia, and mental illness. Healthcare professionals are only slowly adjusting to this shift of healthcare and in this chapter we will look at how the healthcare professional can connect patients with green space to help them increase physical activity and reduce stress. Four initiatives have been used to illustrate how healthcare professionals can engage patients with nature to help tackle the main disease burden.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J. Williams ◽  
Zoe Radnor ◽  
James Aitken ◽  
Ann Esain ◽  
Olga Matthias

PurposeThis research examines how knowledge and information are managed within two care networks. We develop a conceptual framework drawing on the notion of brokering and the 3T framework, which is used to describe the relative complexity of boundaries (referred to in the framework as syntactic, semantic and pragmatic) as well as capabilities and processes required to exchange information within the network. Previous research on brokering has focused on healthcare managers and professionals, but this research extends to patients and caregivers. Understanding knowledge exchange and brokering practices in healthcare is critical to the delivery of effective services.Design/methodology/approachFor this case research, non-participant observation and experienced-based interviews were undertaken with healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers within two care networks.FindingsThe findings reveal brokering roles occupied by healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers support the transfer, translation and transformation of knowledge and information across functional and organisational boundaries. Enablers and disablers to brokering and the exchange of knowledge and information are also identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to two care networks for long-term conditions within the UK. Further research opportunities exist to examine similar care networks that extend across professional and organisational boundaries.Practical implicationsThis research informs healthcare professionals of the brokering capabilities that occur within networks and the enabling and disabling factors to managing knowledge across boundaries.Originality/valueThis paper provides a conceptual framework that categorises how increased levels of knowledge and information exchange and brokering practices are managed within care networks.


This chapter begins by covering the UK health profile, then defines the key concepts in primary care and public health, and outlines the generic long-term conditions model. It provides a brief overview of the National Health Service, including differences in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It covers current NHS entitlements for people from overseas, commissioning of services, and public health in a broader context. It also describes health needs assessment, and provides an overview of the services in primary care, the role of general practice, and other primary healthcare services. Further services, including those to prevent unplanned hospital admission, aid hospital discharge, those that support children and families, housing, social support, and care homes are all covered.


Author(s):  
Marlize De Vivo ◽  
Hayley Mills

The aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in explaining pregnant women’s physical activity (PA) intentions and behaviour and to scrutinise the role of past behaviour within this context. Pregnant women (n = 89) completed the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) and newly developed TPB questionnaire on two separate occasions during their pregnancy. Analyses were carried out in relation to three scenarios. Firstly, when considering the original TPB, intention emerged as the strongest determinant of pregnant women’s PA behaviour. Secondly, controlling for past behaviour attenuated the influence of intention and perceived behavioural control on behaviour, with neither of the original variables providing a unique influence. Finally, the addition of past behaviour added significantly to the prediction of intention with the model as a whole, explaining 85% of the variance in pregnant women’s PA intention, and with past behaviour uniquely contributing 44.8% of the variance. Pregnancy physical activity profiling based on intention and behaviour status is subsequently introduced as a novel and practical framework. This provides healthcare professionals with the opportunity and structure to provide tailored advice and guidance to pregnant women, thereby facilitating engagement with PA throughout motherhood.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2021-104281
Author(s):  
Hamish Reid ◽  
Ashley Jane Ridout ◽  
Simone Annabella Tomaz ◽  
Paul Kelly ◽  
Natasha Jones

IntroductionThe benefits of physical activity for people living with long-term conditions (LTCs) are well established. However, the risks of physical activity are less well documented. The fear of exacerbating symptoms and causing adverse events is a persuasive barrier to physical activity in this population.This work aimed to agree clear statements for use by healthcare professionals about medical risks of physical activity for people living with LTCs through expert consensus. These statements addressed the following questions: (1) Is increasing physical activity safe for people living with one or more LTC? (2) Are the symptoms and clinical syndromes associated with common LTCs aggravated in the short or long term by increasing physical activity levels? (3) What specific risks should healthcare professionals consider when advising symptomatic people with one or more LTCs to increase their physical activity levels?MethodsStatements were developed in a multistage process, guided by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation tool. A patient and clinician involvement process, a rapid literature review and a steering group workshop informed the development of draft symptom and syndrome-based statements. We then tested and refined the draft statements and supporting evidence using a three-stage modified online Delphi study, incorporating a multidisciplinary expert panel with a broad range of clinical specialties.ResultsTwenty-eight experts completed the Delphi process. All statements achieved consensus with a final agreement between 88.5%–96.5%. Five ‘impact statements’ conclude that (1) for people living with LTCs, the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks, (2) despite the risks being very low, perceived risk is high, (3) person-centred conversations are essential for addressing perceived risk, (4) everybody has their own starting point and (5) people should stop and seek medical attention if they experience a dramatic increase in symptoms. In addition, eight symptom/syndrome-based statements discuss specific risks for musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, cardiac chest pain, palpitations, dysglycaemia, cognitive impairment and falls and frailty.ConclusionClear, consistent messaging on risk across healthcare will improve people living with LTCs confidence to be physically active. Addressing the fear of adverse events on an individual level will help healthcare professionals affect meaningful behavioural change in day-to-day practice. Evidence does not support routine preparticipation medical clearance for people with stable LTCs if they build up gradually from their current level. The need for medical guidance, as opposed to clearance, should be determined by individuals with specific concerns about active symptoms. As part of a system-wide approach, consistent messaging from healthcare professionals around risk will also help reduce cross-sector barriers to engagement for this population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Bondaronek ◽  
Samuel James Dicken ◽  
Seth Jennings ◽  
Verity Mallion ◽  
Chryssa Stefanidou

Background: Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer; increasing physical activity (PA) is therefore a public health priority. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) in primary care have been identified as being pivotal in addressing physical inactivity, yet few HCPs provide PA advice to patients. There can be obstacles to delivering PA advice, including a lack of time, confidence or knowledge. Digital technology has the potential to overcome obstacles and facilitate delivering PA advice. However, it is unknown if and how digital systems are used to deliver physical activity advice in primary care consultations, and what factors influence their use.The aim of this study was to understand the use of digital systems to support primary care consultations and to identify the barriers and facilitators to using these systems.Methods: 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs in primary care. Professionals were sampled purposively based on profession (general practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants), prevalence of long-term conditions within their practice area, and rural-urban classification. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify influences on the use of digital systems. Themes were categorised using COM-B and the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to identify the barriers and facilitators to using digital systems to support the delivery of PA advice in primary care consultations.Results: Identified themes fell within eight TDF domains (linked COM-B component follows in parentheses): Knowledge (Psychological Capability), Skills (Psychological Capability), Environmental Context and Resources (Physical Opportunity), Social Influence (Social Opportunity), Beliefs about Capabilities (Reflective Motivation), Beliefs about Consequences (Reflective Motivation), Reinforcement (Automatic Motivation), and Emotions (Automatic Motivation). The most prominent barrier/facilitator within psychological capability was ‘having the skills to use digital systems’. ‘Training in the use of digital systems’ was also mentioned several times. The most notable barriers/facilitators within physical opportunity were ‘time constraints’, the ‘efficiency of digital systems’, the ‘simplicity and ease of use’ of digital systems, and ‘integration with existing systems’. Other physical opportunity barriers were ‘lack of access to digital systems’ and ‘technical support in the use of digital systems’. With respect to social opportunity, a notable barrier was the sense that ‘digital systems reduce interpersonal communications’ with patients. ‘Patient preference’ was also mentioned as a barrier/facilitator. Several important barriers and/or facilitators were within reflective motivation, including ‘confidence to use digital systems’, ‘beliefs about the usefulness of digital systems’, the ‘belief that digital systems ‘are the way forward’’, ‘beliefs related to data privacy and security concerns’, and ‘perceptions about patient capabilities’. With respect to automatic motivation, barriers/facilitators included ‘familiarity and availability’ regarding digital systems, and the fact that digital systems ‘prompt behaviour’. Conclusions: A variety of influences were identified on the use of digital systems to support primary care consultations. These findings provide a foundation to design a digital system that addresses the barriers and leverages the facilitators to support PA advice provision within primary care, to elicit patient behaviour change and increase PA.


Author(s):  
Samuel T. Orange ◽  
Stephen E. Gilbert ◽  
Morven C. Brown ◽  
John M. Saxton

Abstract Purpose This study explored cancer survivors’ views and experiences of receiving physical activity advice post-diagnosis. We also determined the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on the recall of physical activity advice and whether receiving advice was associated with meeting physical activity guidelines. Methods An anonymised, mixed-methods, 27-item survey was distributed to cancer survivors via online cancer communities in the UK. Results Of the 242 respondents, 52% recalled receiving physical activity advice. Of those who recalled receiving advice, only 30% received guidance on type of physical activity and 14% were referred to another source of information or exercise specialist. Advice was most often given after treatment cessation, with only 19% of respondents receiving advice during active treatment. Most respondents (56%) expressed a need for further information. There was no evidence of associations between sociodemographic characteristics and recall of physical activity advice. However, cancer survivors who perceived the physical activity advice they received as being appropriate (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.4–10.7) and those with a higher level of education (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8–5.8) were more likely to meet aerobic exercise guidelines. Females were less likely to meet resistance exercise guidelines than males (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21–0.90). Conclusion There is scope to improve the provision of physical activity advice in cancer care by providing advice in a timely manner after diagnosis, referring patients to a suitable exercise or rehabilitation specialist when indicated, and using a tailored approach to ensure the advice is appropriate for specific sociodemographic groups.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e047632
Author(s):  
Helen Humphreys ◽  
Laura Kilby ◽  
Nik Kudiersky ◽  
Robert Copeland

ObjectivesTo explore the lived experience of long COVID with particular focus on the role of physical activity.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.Participants18 people living with long COVID (9 men, 9 women; aged between 18–74 years; 10 white British, 3 white Other, 3 Asian, 1 black, 1 mixed ethnicity) recruited via a UK-based research interest database for people with long COVID.SettingTelephone interviews with 17 participants living in the UK and 1 participant living in the USA.ResultsFour themes were generated. Theme 1 describes how participants struggled with drastically reduced physical function, compounded by the cognitive and psychological effects of long COVID. Theme 2 highlights challenges associated with finding and interpreting advice about physical activity that was appropriately tailored. Theme 3 describes individual approaches to managing symptoms including fatigue and ‘brain fog’ while trying to resume and maintain activities of daily living and other forms of exercise. Theme 4 illustrates the battle with self-concept to accept reduced function (even temporarily) and the fear of permanent reduction in physical and cognitive ability.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the challenges of managing physical activity alongside the extended symptoms associated with long COVID. Findings highlight the need for greater clarity and tailoring of physical activity-related advice for people with long COVID and improved support to resume activities important to individual well-being.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palmiero Monteleone ◽  
Antonio DiLieto ◽  
Eloisa Castaldo ◽  
Mario Maj

AbstractLeptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone, which is involved predominantly in the long-term regulation of body weight and energy balance by acting as a hunger suppressant signal to the brain. Leptin is also involved in the modulation of reproduction, immune function, physical activity, and some endogenous endocrine axes. Since anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are characterized by abnormal eating behaviors, dysregulation of endogenous endocrine axes, alterations of reproductive and immune functions, and increased physical activity, extensive research has been carried out in the last decade in order to ascertain a role of this hormone in the pathophysiology of these syndromes. In this article, we review the available data on leptin physiology in patients with eating disorders. These data support the idea that leptin is not directly involved in the etiology of AN or BN. However, malnutrition-induced alterations in its physiology may contribute to the genesis and/or the maintenance of some clinical manifestations of AN and BN and may have an impact on the prognosis of AN.


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