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Understanding the physical activity promotion behaviours of podiatrists: a qualitative study
Citation
Crisford, P and Winzenberg, T and Venn, A and Cleland, V, Understanding the physical activity promotion behaviours of podiatrists: a qualitative study, Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 6, (37 (September)) pp. 1-10. ISSN 1757-1146 (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Crisford et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
DOI: doi:10.1186/1757-1146-6-37
Abstract
Background: Health professionals are encouraged to play a part in reducing the health risks of physical inactivity. Little is known of the physical activity promotion practice behaviours of podiatrists.Methods: We performed 20 semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected podiatrists to explore their physical activity promotion attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and practice. Transcribed interviews were coded using an iterative thematic approach to identify major themes and salient beliefs.Results: Overall, the participants had a positive attitude to physical activity promotion, considering it a normal part of their role. They saw their role as giving information, encouraging activity and making recommendations, however in practice they were less inclined to follow up on recommendations, monitor activity levels or document the process. Their approach was generally opportunistic, informal and unstructured and the content of assessment and promotion dependent upon the presenting patient's condition. Advice tended to be tailored to the patient's capabilities and interests. They considered there are opportunities to promote physical activity during regular consultations, however, were more likely to do so in patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Main barriers to physical activity promotion included unreceptive and unmotivated patients as well as a lack of time, skills and resources.Conclusions: Physical activity promotion appears feasible in podiatry practice in terms of opportunity and acceptability to practitioners, but there is scope for improvement. Strategies to improve promotion need to consider the major issues, barriers and opportunities as well as provide a more structured approach to physical activity promotion by podiatrists. © 2013 Crisford et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Physical activity promotion, Podiatrist |
| Research Division: | Health Sciences |
| Research Group: | Epidemiology |
| Research Field: | Epidemiology not elsewhere classified |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
| Objective Field: | Behaviour and health |
| UTAS Author: | Crisford, P (Dr Paul Crisford) |
| UTAS Author: | Winzenberg, T (Professor Tania Winzenberg) |
| UTAS Author: | Venn, A (Professor Alison Venn) |
| UTAS Author: | Cleland, V (Associate Professor Verity Cleland) |
| ID Code: | 87064 |
| Year Published: | 2013 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 3 |
| Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
| Deposited On: | 2013-11-06 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-11-02 |
| Downloads: | 586 View Download Statistics |
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