Abstract
BackgroundResearch exists examining the challenges of delivering lifestyle behaviour change initiatives in practice. However, at present much of this research has been conducted with primary care health professionals, or in acute adult hospital settings. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators associated with implementing routine lifestyle behaviour change brief advice into practice in an acute children’s hospital.MethodsThirty-three health professionals (nurses, junior doctors, allied health professionals and clinical support staff) from inpatient and outpatient departments at a UK children’s hospital were interviewed about their attitudes and beliefs towards supporting lifestyle behaviour change in hospital patients and their families. Responses were analysed using thematic framework analysis.ResultsHealth professionals identified a range of barriers and facilitators to supporting lifestyle behaviour change in a children’s hospital. These included (1) personal experience of effectiveness, (2) constraints associated with the hospital environment, (3) appropriateness of advice delivery given the patient’s condition and care pathway and (4) job role priorities, and (5) perceived benefits of the advice given. Delivery of lifestyle behaviour change advice was often seen as an educational activity, rather than a behaviour change activity.ConclusionFactors underpinning the successful delivery of routine lifestyle behaviour change support must be understood if this is to be implemented effectively in paediatric acute settings. This study reveals key areas where paediatric health professionals may need further support and training to achieve successful implementation.
Highlights
Research exists examining the challenges of delivering lifestyle behaviour change initiatives in practice
We explored the views of paediatric health professionals on supporting lifestyle behaviour change with hospital patients and their families through a qualitative study
We have described factors influencing whether health professional delivery of routine lifestyle behaviour change support will be implemented effectively in the paediatric hospital setting
Summary
Research exists examining the challenges of delivering lifestyle behaviour change initiatives in practice. Lifestyle behaviour change has great potential to improve child and family health and can be considered part of the duty of care of every paediatric health professional. Lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and lack of physical activity are key contributors to worldwide mortality and morbidity [1,2,3]. In children and young people obesity is a major global problem, with 170 million estimated to be overweight [8]. Health consequences of overweight and obesity include increased risk of lifestyle-related illness including type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease [9]. The most significant predictor of childhood obesity is parental obesity [12], obese children are at risk of obesity in adulthood [13]
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