Mixed Methods Process Evaluation of a National Peer-Led Training Program to Increase Brief Advice on Physical Activity Given By Health Care Professionals

Whelan, Maxine E.; Carlin, Liz; Musson, Hayley; Adams, Emma J.

Abstract

Introduction: Health care professionals are well-positioned to encourage physical activity. The Clinical Champions Physical Activity Training Program (CCTP) aimed to increase population-level physical activity across England. This study aimed to (1) evaluate CCTP uptake and utilization; (2) explore CCTP fidelity, barriers, facilitators, and satisfaction; and (3) provide recommendations for program improvement.

Methods: Physical Activity Clinical Champions were recruited and trained to deliver training to other health care professionals about physical activity. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used to conduct a process evaluation using data collected from CCTP training sessions delivered (often at hospitals and General Practitioner surgeries) between February and December 2018.

Results: About 509 training sessions were delivered, with 89% of sessions delivered by doctor/physician and nurse Clinical Champions; 8917 health care professionals attended a training session. Sessions lasted on average 1 hour 28 minutes and core slide sets were used in 65% of sessions. Barriers related to arranging the sessions and time available to deliver sessions.

Conclusion: The process evaluation demonstrated a national peer-led training program can reach all geographical regions of England; however, barriers need to be addressed. Recommendations include providing more administrative support to the Clinical Champions, improving communication and advertising to raise awareness of the CCTP, and standardizing training session duration and content.

Citation

Whelan, M. E., Carlin, L., Musson, H., & Adams, E. J. (2021). Mixed Methods Process Evaluation of a National Peer-Led Training Program to Increase Brief Advice on Physical Activity Given By Health Care Professionals. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 18(11), 1372-1382. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0188

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 20, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 9, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 7, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
• Print ISSN: 1543-3080
• Electronic ISSN: 1543-5474
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1372-1382
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0188
• Keywords: public health, program evaluation, guidelines and recommendations, health promotion
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6910158
• Publisher URL: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/18/11/article-p1372.xml
• Additional Information: Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 18(11), 1372-1382, https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0188. ©2021 Human Kinetics, Inc.