Investigating the needs and wants of healthcare providers for promoting exercise in persons with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study

Yvonne C Learmonth; Brynn C Adamson; Julia M Balto; Chung-Yi Chiu; Isabel M Molina-Guzman; Marcia Finlayson; Elizabeth A Barstow; Robert W Motl

doi:10.1080/09638288.2017.1327989

Investigating the needs and wants of healthcare providers for promoting exercise in persons with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study

Disabil Rehabil. 2018 Sep;40(18):2172-2180. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1327989. Epub 2017 May 19.

Authors

Yvonne C Learmonth¹, Brynn C Adamson¹, Julia M Balto¹, Chung-Yi Chiu¹, Isabel M Molina-Guzman², Marcia Finlayson³, Elizabeth A Barstow⁴, Robert W Motl⁵

Affiliations

¹ a Department of Kinesiology and Community Health , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Champaign , IL , USA.
² b Departments of Latina/Latino studies, Media & Cinema Studies , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Champaign , IL , USA.
³ c School of Rehabilitation Therapy , Queen's University , Kingston , Canada.
⁴ d Department of Occupational Therapy , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , AL , USA.
⁵ e Department of Physical Therapy , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , AL , USA.

PMID: 28524732
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1327989

Abstract

Purpose: We undertook a qualitative study that explored the needs of healthcare providers for promoting exercise behaviour among persons with mild or moderate multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We used interpretive description methodology, and conducted semi-structured interviews with Neurologists (n = 13), occupational therapists (n = 10), physical therapists (n = 11), and nurses (n = 10). The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: We identified three themes with multiple subthemes regarding exercise promotion by healthcare providers. The first theme was "opportunities for exercise promotion" through the healthcare system, healthcare team, and clinical appointment. The second theme was "healthcare provider education" that included professional training, training among healthcare providers, and clear and defined exercise promotion protocols. The third theme was "patient tools/strategies" that should be delivered among persons with MS as part of the exercise prescription.

Conclusions: Providers in MS healthcare consider the patient-provider interaction within the healthcare system, healthcare team, and clinical appointment as a novel opportunity for exercise promotion. Such an opportunity requires education of healthcare providers and provision of tools and strategies for exercise promotion among persons with MS. Implications for rehabilitation Healthcare providers are interested in and motivated for promoting exercise participation among persons with multiple sclerosis. Successful exercise promotion must consider opportunities at three different organisational levels, namely the healthcare system, the local healthcare team, and clinical appointment. Healthcare providers need further training for promoting exercise among persons with multiple sclerosis. The promotion of exercise among persons with multiple sclerosis will require resources and strategies that can be readily offered by providers.

Keywords: Exercise; behaviour change; healthcare providers; multiple sclerosis; patient-provider interaction; qualitative.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Exercise Therapy* / methods
Exercise Therapy* / psychology
Health Personnel* / education
Health Personnel* / psychology
Health Personnel* / standards
Health Promotion / methods*
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis / psychology
Multiple Sclerosis / rehabilitation*
Needs Assessment
Patient Care Team / standards
Professional-Patient Relations
Qualitative Research
Quality Improvement