A Pilot Study of Physical Activity Education Delivery in Diabetes Education Centres in Ontario

Abstract

To explore physical activity (PA) education delivery in Ontario Diabetes Education Centres (DECs). Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with diabetes educators involved in PA education from 26 (55%) of 47 eligible centres. Frequency analysis was used to assess responses to closed questions, and qualitative analysis was used to investigate spontaneous comments about PA education content and delivery. Respondents were 61.5% registered nurses, 23% registered dietitians, 7.7% kinesiologists and 7.7% others. All (100%) reported doing something to address PA education, including the following: exercise prescription (73%), PA-specific behavioural counselling (88%), PA follow-up (77%) and providing written materials (92%). However, a substantial proportion of educators did not feel comfortable with their own skills and training in this area. There is a lack of standardization in the content and delivery of PA education in Ontario DECs, and many diabetes educators feel that they lack the skills and training related to PA counselling.