Current Practice of Physical Activity Counselling within Physiotherapy Usual Care and Influences on Its Use: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Shiyi Zhu, Catherine Sherrington, Matthew Jennings, Bernadette Brady, Marina Pinheiro, Sarah Dennis, Lauren J. Christie, Balwinder Sidhu, Abby Haynes, Colin Greaves and Leanne Hassett
Additional contact information
Shiyi Zhu: Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Catherine Sherrington: Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney/Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
Matthew Jennings: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
Bernadette Brady: Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Marina Pinheiro: Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Sarah Dennis: Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Lauren J. Christie: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
Balwinder Sidhu: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
Abby Haynes: Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney/Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
Colin Greaves: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Leanne Hassett: Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: Physical activity counselling has demonstrated effectiveness at increasing physical activity when delivered in healthcare, but is not routinely practised. This study aimed to determine (1) current use of physical activity counselling by physiotherapists working within publicly funded hospitals; and (2) influences on this behaviour. A cross-sectional survey of physiotherapists was conducted across five hospitals within a local health district in Sydney, Australia. The survey investigated physiotherapists’ frequency of incorporating 15 different elements of physical activity counselling into their usual healthcare interactions, and 53 potential influences on their behaviour framed by the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour) model. The sample comprised 84 physiotherapists (79% female, 48% <5 years of experience). Physiotherapists reported using on average five (SD:3) elements of physical activity counselling with at least 50% of their patients who could be more active. A total of 70% of physiotherapists raised or discussed overall physical activity, but less than 10% measured physical activity or contacted community physical activity providers. Physiotherapists reported on average 25 (SD:9) barriers influencing their use of physical activity counselling. The most common barriers were related to “opportunity”, with 57% indicating difficulty locating suitable community physical activity opportunities and >90% indicating their patients lacked financial and transport opportunities. These findings confirm that physical activity counselling is not routinely incorporated in physiotherapy practice and help to identify implementation strategies to build clinicians’ opportunities and capabilities to deliver physical activity counselling.

Keywords: physical therapists; physical activity; counselling; behaviour change; surveys and questionnaires (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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