Working with life-style behavior as an professional organization

The main purpose of our projects was increasing knowledge on life-style behavior among physiotherapists and providing tools for facilitating physiotherapist to feel confident in implementing the national guidelines in their clinical setting. An additional purpose was increasing the knowledge on life-style behavior for groups of patients. A third purpose was to raise the awareness and knowledge of physiotherapist as a profession with knowledge and skill to make a change on life-style behavior. 

The project group have managed the on-going and upcoming initiatives. A network of physiotherapists with specialized knowledge have been formed in relation to each initiative. Literature studies were performed to gather and value current and evidence-based knowledge and guidelines in the specific field of interest. All initiatives have involved users for validity. 

The projects and our ongoing work have resulted in accessible knowledge as well for healthcare professionals as for patients. Collaboration between other professionals has improved their knowledge of physical activity as primary and secondary prevention and physiotherapist´s understanding of other lifestyle areas. The knowledge materials for primary prevention are age-related and for secondary prevention related to different chronic conditions. As well written as audiovisual materials are accessible and several webinars have been organized to all healthcare professionals. Our collaboration with other professions as well as with patient organizations has increased and we have published several debate articles focusing life-style behavior. 

Providing knowledge for the profession as well as for the patients are facilitating implementation of the national guidelines and make a change for society. 

The initiatives within the Swedish Association of Physiotherapists have raised the awareness and knowledge of physiotherapist as a profession with knowledge and skill to make a change on life-style behavior. 

Future work needs to address the gaps in society in relation to socio-economic factors and health literacy.  

Physiotherapists give advice on physical activity and exercise in a person-centered manner. This gives implications for building relations with patients and the opportunity for changing and facilitating life-style behavior, but the physiotherapist needs support from the management as well as knowledge on each specific life-style area.