The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals' perceptions.

Annemiek M E Florisson,Gerard R M Molleman,Karlijn E F Leenaars,Eva Smit,Annemarie Wagemakers,Maria A Koelen

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3665-x

Abstract

BackgroundTo stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to assess perceptions of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals towards the CSC role and the connection between the primary care and the PA sector.MethodsNine focus groups were held with primary care, welfare and sport professionals within the CSC network. In these focus groups the CSC role and the connection between the sectors were discussed. Both top-down and bottom-up codes were used to analyse the focus groups.ResultsProfessionals ascribed three roles to the CSC: 1) broker role, 2) referral, 3) facilitator. Professionals were enthusiastic about how the current connection was established. However, barriers relating to their own sector were currently hindering the connection: primary care professionals’ lack of time, money and knowledge, and the lack of suitable PA activities and instructors for the target group.ConclusionsThis study provides further insight into the CSC role and the connection between the sectors from the point of view of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals. Professionals found the CSC role promising, but barriers are currently hindering the collaboration between both sectors. More time for the CSC and changes in the way the primary care and PA sector are organized seem to be necessary to overcome the identified barriers and to make a success of the connection.Trial registrationDutch Trial register NTR4986. Registered 14 December 2014.

Highlights

To stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands
In which we described a first impression of the CSC role, it appeared that most CSCs found it hard to establish a structural collaboration because of perceived barriers [11]
Primary care professionals in particular stressed the importance of a connection between sectors, because more collaboration may result in increased referral of patients

Summary

Introduction

To stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands. Sport introduced neighbourhood sport coaches (in Dutch Buurtsportcoach) – to whom a broker role has been ascribed – to stimulate physical activity (PA) and connect the sport sector with other sectors Some of these coaches, the so-called Care Sport Connectors (CSCs), are employed to connect the primary care and the PA sector in order to guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities. Previous studies have shown that connecting the primary care and the PA sector is challenging for various reasons Differences between both sectors, such as culture (professional organization versus voluntary organization) and different shared interests (program interest versus increasing member numbers) can hinder collaboration

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