BackgroundThere is growing recognition of the benefits and safety of exercise and its importance in the comprehensive care of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet uptake is low.ObjectiveWe explored the needs and wants of patients with MS regarding exercise promotion through healthcare providers.Setting and participantsParticipants were adults with MS who had mild‐or‐moderate disability and a range of exercise levels. All participants lived in the Midwest of the United States.MethodsFifty semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Two themes emerged, namely interactions between patients and healthcare providers and needs and wants of patients.ResultsAnalysis of participant accounts illustrate that current exercise promotion by healthcare providers does not meet patient needs and wants. The identified needs and wants of persons with MS involved (i) information and knowledge on the benefits of exercise and exercise prescription, (ii) materials to allow home and community exercise and (iii) tools for initiating and maintaining exercise behaviour.Discussion and conclusionPatients with MS frequently interact with healthcare providers and are generally unsatisfied with exercise promotion during interactions. Healthcare providers can address the low uptake of exercise among persons with MS by acting upon the identified unmet needs involving materials, knowledge and behaviour change strategies for exercise.

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.

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BackgroundThere is increasing recognition of the benefits of exercise in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet the MS population does not engage in sufficient amounts of exercise to accrue health benefits. There has been little qualitative inquiry to establish the preferred format and source for receiving exercise information from health‐care providers among persons with MS.ObjectiveWe sought to identify the desired and preferred format and source of exercise information for persons with MS that can be delivered through health‐care providers.Setting and participantsParticipants were adults with MS who had mild or moderate disability and participated in a range of exercise levels. All participants lived in the Midwest of the United States.MethodsFifty semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsTwo themes emerged, (i) approach for receiving exercise promotion and (ii) ideal person for promoting exercise. Persons with MS want to receive exercise information through in‐person consultations with health‐care providers, print media and electronic media. Persons with MS want to receive exercise promotion from health‐care providers with expertise in MS (ie neurologists) and with expertise in exercise (eg physical therapists).ConclusionsThese data support the importance of understanding how to provide exercise information to persons with MS and identifying that health‐care providers including neurologists and physical therapists should be involved in exercise promotion.