A. Lowe1, S. Dewhurst2
1Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom, 2Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Background: Physiotherapists are well placed to support people to become more physically active, with the multiple health benefits this brings. Healthcare interventions are identified in Global Action Plan for Physical Activity as a key area of influence in increasing population physical activity levels and this is reflected in national guidance frameworks.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Sport England led an innovative, peer-to-peer training programme, known as Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) programme.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Sport England led an innovative, peer-to-peer training programme, known as Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) programme.
Purpose: The aim of the initiative was to increase population levels of physical activity by increasing the proportion of physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) integrating conversations about physical activity into routine clinical practice in England. The training seeks to achieve this by increasing the capability, opportunity, and motivation of HCPs to deliver brief advice on physical activity to patients who are at risk of, or living with, long-term conditions.
Methods: A mixed-methods, pragmatic evaluation was undertaken between April 2021 and June 2022. It included the following evaluation activities:
- A baseline survey (n=2,250) completed before PACC training
- A follow-up survey (n=263) 4-6 weeks after PACC training
- In-depth interviews (n=10) with attendees
- Four focus groups with PACCs and two in-depth interviews
- Analysis of session monitoring data
- In-depth interviews with stakeholders
Results: In total, 826 sessions were delivered and over 15,836 HCPs receiving PACC training. Approximately 25% of attendees were Allied Health Professionals.
The training appeared to be attended by HCPs who engage in lower levels of physical activity themselves (only 31% met global guidance) and those who did not regularly promote physical activity to their patients (only 30% of attendees at the follow-up survey saying they do this ‘nearly always’).
The training received high scores for being clear, engaging and delivered at an appropriate pace (93%, 91% and 91% agreeing with these statements respectively). Slightly lower scores are given for it meeting attendees’ expectations (87%) and being relevant to their needs (84%).
HCPs reported improved understanding of the benefits of physical activity for different health conditions. The evidence suggests training improves knowledge, skills and confidence in physical activity promotion. A positive shift was seen in attendees’ self-reported skill in promoting physical activity (shifting from 69% to 90% saying they felt ‘somewhat’ or ‘very skilled’). Fewer positive shifts were observed with attendees who had greater pre-existing knowledge, skills, or confidence.
The training appeared to be attended by HCPs who engage in lower levels of physical activity themselves (only 31% met global guidance) and those who did not regularly promote physical activity to their patients (only 30% of attendees at the follow-up survey saying they do this ‘nearly always’).
The training received high scores for being clear, engaging and delivered at an appropriate pace (93%, 91% and 91% agreeing with these statements respectively). Slightly lower scores are given for it meeting attendees’ expectations (87%) and being relevant to their needs (84%).
HCPs reported improved understanding of the benefits of physical activity for different health conditions. The evidence suggests training improves knowledge, skills and confidence in physical activity promotion. A positive shift was seen in attendees’ self-reported skill in promoting physical activity (shifting from 69% to 90% saying they felt ‘somewhat’ or ‘very skilled’). Fewer positive shifts were observed with attendees who had greater pre-existing knowledge, skills, or confidence.
Conclusions: Previous evidence suggests that whilst physiotherapists are well placed to promote physical activity, they do not always have the knowledge and confidence required. A large number of physiotherapists received PACC training, it was well received and it contributed positively to their knowledge, skills and confidence to promote physical activity. In particular, it was well received by physiotherapists and other HCPs who did not routinely promote physical activity, suggesting that it's reach extended beyond ken advocates and increased the proportion of HCPs who routinely promote physical activity.
Implications: The PACC training initiative is acceptable and effective in increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of physiotherapists (and other HCPs) in physical activity promotion; this approach could be further scaled.
Funding acknowledgements: This evaluation was funded by The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in England.
Keywords:
Physical activity
Education
Physical activity
Education
Topics:
Education
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Education: clinical
Education
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Education: clinical
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Sheffield Hallam University
Committee: Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Ethics number: Ethic Review ID: ER31009982
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
