Factors associated with physical activity referral uptake and participation

Cotton

Brown

et al. 2016

EJPCH

Background Pedometers have been shown to improve adherence to exercise programmes. Evidence suggests that PA can improve physical function, wellbeing and reduce the negative impact of some cancer related side-effects. Yet, there are limited PA guidelines for cancer patients in the UK. The aim was to examine the impact of an 8-week exercise programme on sustaining physical activity (PA) at 3-month follow-up. Method A qualitative study with 12 mixed site cancer patients aged 43-70 (10 women, 2 men), involved in an 8-week exercise programme. The Programme took place at a University in the South West of England, UK. Semi-structured interviews with patients took place 3 times over 6 months. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. Results We found that the number of patients perceived to be physically active prior to take-up of the physical activity programme were low (20%). At completion, most patients reported being physically active (84%), sustained but to a lesser extent (67%) at 3-month follow-up. Explanations for sustained PA at follow-up included application of knowledge gained from the Programme in relation to walking technique and use of pedometers and perceived health and fitness gains. Explanations for those not physically active included new diagnosis, reduced mobility following surgery and lack of clear exit route or progression to another structured opportunity. Conclusion Our study has provided valuable insight into how a supervised multi-modal physical activity programme can enable recovering cancer patients to develop a physically active lifestyle.

Section: Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of an exercise programme on sustaining physical activity for recovering cancer patients: A qualitative study.

Cotton

Brown

et al. 2016

EJPCH

“…Through using a qualitative approach to data collection and analysis, this study was able to investigate the patients' changing perceptions over a 6-month time period for the following QoL indicators of (i) self-efficacy, (ii) selfmanagement, (iii) chronic fatigue and (iv) increasing energy levels [12,16,18]. Secondly, the deployment of 3 data collection and analysis phases contrasts markedly with traditional data collection schedules in the literature, which tend to adhere to the life-cycle of the exercise referral scheme, that is, pre and post a 12-week intervention [15,26,[30][31][32][33]. Some studies do include a 12-week followup [34,35].…”

Section: Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived changes to quality of life indicators following a physical activity intervention for recovering cancer patients: A qualitative study.

Cotton²,

Brown³

et al. 2016

EJPCH

Aim:The aim of this study was to examine the perceived changes in quality of life (QoL) for a group of recovering cancer patients, following 6 months of physical activity. Background: Evidence suggests that physical activity can improve the QoL of recovering cancer patients, reducing many of the side-effects of cancer and its related treatments, including depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, with an improvement in physical and psychological health. Method: A qualitative study with 14 mixed site cancer patients aged 43-70 (12 women, 2 men). The intervention was in 2 parts the first part was an 8-week physical activity programme, the second part related to a period of non-supervised, physical activity for 4 months (6 months in total). The programme took place at a University in the South West of England, UK. Semi-structured interviews with patients took place 3 times over 6 months. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. Results: We found that prior to the 6-month physical activity intervention many of the patients were anxious about being able to complete the initial 8 week programme. Anxieties related to low self-esteem and the chronic fatigue resulting from their cancer treatment. Consequently, several patients expressed concerns about their ability to help themselves self-manage their recovery through physical activity. On completion of the intervention the majority of patients described improvements in their perceived QoL in terms of their ability to self-manage and to engage in their self-efficacy, reporting increased energy levels and decreases in chronic fatigue. Conclusion: Our study has provided valuable insights into how the perceived QoL of a group of recovering cancer patients can be improved through a combined 6-month period of supervised and independent physical activity. These findings serve as further evidence of the effectiveness of a person-centered healthcare approach for recovering cancer patients.

“…Such approaches 25 may lead to increased numbers of men being referred into exercise referral schemes. This is particularly important when considering the positive influence that GPs can have on motivating patients to attend such schemes (James et al 2008;Horne et al, 2010), and that twice as many men complete exercise referral schemes than women (Gidlow et al, 2007;James et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2009). In turn, further training for health professionals should consider techniques to reduce 'direct' approaches during consultation which are founded on perceptions of male-specific behaviours.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, studies have shown that the number of men participating in ERS can be disproportionately lower than that of women (see Dugdill et al 2005 [1098 men, 1685 women], Gidlow et al 2007Gidlow et al [1386Gidlow et al men, 2182 women], James et al 2009 [455 men, 860 women]). Despite these differences, prior research has also identified 5 that women are less likely to complete schemes than men (Gidlow et al 2007, James et al 2008, Morton et al 2008. Explanations for low completion rates amongst women include greater domestic and social responsibility (Mackey et al 2002;Aitchison 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender perceptions and their impact when referring obese patients for exercise

Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health

Parker

Crone

2016

Self Cite

Abstract:Obesity trends in the UK have shown a steady increase over the past 20 years, yet differences have been identified in the uptake and adherence data for obese men and women attending exercise referral schemes (ERS). Moreover, evidence suggests that health professionals (HPs) may hold preconceived gender specific views about their patients and this has been identified as a potential barrier to male patients seeking help from their GPs for chronic conditions. The aim of this paper is to examine the gender dynamics associated with health profession/patient interactions in relation to the uptake of an ERS for obese patients.The ERS in question was based in a Primary Care Health Centre in the South West of England. The respondent cohort comprised 12 patients (8 women, 4 men) aged 55-74 years and their 6 referring HPs (4 women, 2 men). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and HPs over an eight month period and the data were analysed via a grounded theory approach. The study found that HP gender specific perceptions of their patients had an impact on the methods used to encourage patients to participate. HPs typically adopted a direct interactional approach with obese men and a more cautious approach with obese women. Irrespective of gender, male and female patients found being informed of their obesity difficult to accept. The paper concludes that there is a need for a degree of care to be taken when communicating such health concerns and that this kind of approach may lead to increased ERS attendance (and adherence) by men.