Impact of a National Peer-Led Training Program to Increase Brief Physical Activity Advice Given to Patients by Health Care Professionals

Liz Carlin, Maxine Whelan, Hayley Musson, Emma Adams

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)
    49 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: The benefits of physical activity for preventing and managing long-term health conditions are well established and health care professionals could promote physical activity to patients. The current study aims to evaluate the impact of the Clinical Champions Physical Activity Training Program.

    METHODS: Health care professionals attend a one-off in-person training session delivered by a trained Clinical Champion. Attendees at the Clinical Champions Physical Activity Training Program were asked to complete a baseline survey prior to the training session and follow-up surveys 4 and 12 weeks posttraining.

    RESULTS: A total of 5945 training attendees completed the baseline survey. A total of 1859 and 754 participants completed 4- and 12-week follow-up (31.3% and 12.7% response rate, respectively). Significant increases in confidence to deliver brief physical activity advice and knowledge of physical activity guidelines were reported at 12 weeks (P < .001). The perceived frequency of physical activity discussions with patients significantly increased (P < .001). Twelve weeks after training, fewer barriers in promoting physical activity were reported.

    CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the Clinical Champions Physical Activity Training Program demonstrated an increase in knowledge of physical activity guidelines, levels of confidence, and frequency of delivery of brief physical activity advice to patients. Further research is required to determine if this impact translates into changes to patients' physical activity behavior.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1364-1371
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Physical Activity & Health
    Volume18
    Issue number11
    Early online date27 Sept 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

    Bibliographical note

    Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0187. © Human Kinetics, Inc.

    Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

    Keywords

    • evaluation
    • public health
    • integration
    • clinical practice
    • knowledge

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