Abstract
Evidence-based strategies are needed to curb the growing cases of physical inactivity related morbidities. Delivering holistic care through collaborative shared decision making could boost the effectiveness of physical activity referral schemes (PARS) and foster the quality of care for patients with multimorbidity. A qualitative study involving semi-structured telephone interviews was utilised to gain insights from Australian PARS stakeholders (general practitioners, exercise physiologists, and patients). A pluralistic evaluation approach was employed to explore and integrate participants’ opinions and experiences of PARS and their recommendations were used to develop a model for quality care delivery in PARS initiatives. Five overarching themes: promote, relate, incentivise, communicate, and educate were identified as the ‘PRICE’ for developing effective and functional PARS programmes that foster quality patient care. It was evident that PARS programmes or policies aimed at optimising publicity, encouraging incentives, improving interdisciplinary information sharing and professional relationships between patients and healthcare professionals can transform healthcare delivery and provide top quality PARS care services to patients. Therefore, governments, healthcare systems, and PARS administrators can translate and leverage the insights from this study to optimise the delivery of high quality care to PARS patients.
Highlights
Healthcare delivery models and policies need to be updated to meet the growing morbidity rate [1] and trends in healthcare systems [2,3,4]
Two out of these three EPs noted their practice as a teaching setting, while the remaining EP worked with a non-governmental organisation (NGO)
The main reasons patients gave for their referral to physical activity referral schemes (PARS) included diabetes, stroke, chronic back pain, and overweight/obesity
Summary
Healthcare delivery models and policies need to be updated to meet the growing morbidity rate [1] and trends in healthcare systems [2,3,4]. Morbidities and mortalities could be reduced by promoting PA interventions, such as brief advice, counselling, and collaborative care through onward exercise referral (patient care transition from frontline primary care professionals, such as general practitioners (GPs) to PA specialists, e.g., exercise physiologists (EPs) [14,15]. Collaboration via GP to EP referrals would be invaluable in developed countries, such as Australia, where nine out of ten patients see a GP at least once a year [16,17] This highlights the enormous potential of leveraging the access of frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as GPs, as gatekeepers and vanguards of PA promotion to the population [18]. The efficiency and long-term sustainability of these primary care
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