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Identifying Factors That Influence Physical Activity Promotion in Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rethorn, ZD; Covington, JK; Cook, CE; Bezner, JR
Published in: J Geriatr Phys Ther
October 2022

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) promotion is not routine practice for physical therapists. Understanding the PA promotion beliefs of physical therapists may offer targets for behavior change interventions to improve PA promotion. The purpose of this study was to explore outpatient US physical therapists' beliefs about PA promotion and determine which Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) domains can inform implementation efforts. METHODS: We used a descriptive qualitative research design. A TDF-based interview guide was developed to identify beliefs about PA promotion. Twenty-six outpatient US physical therapists (13 regular PA promoters and 13 irregular PA promoters) completed semistructured interviews. Directed content analysis identified specific beliefs by grouping similar belief statements. Specific beliefs were mapped to TDF domains. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Five TDF domains were identified as likely relevant to changing physical therapists' PA promotion behaviors. Key beliefs within those domains included conflicting comments about PA guidelines being evidence based, a lack of confidence to promote PA due to perceived deficits in communication skills, and time constraints as key barriers. Beliefs about improving PA promotion included incorporating screening for baseline PA and continuing education targeting confidence and communication. CONCLUSIONS: We identified key beliefs that influence outpatient US physical therapists' PA promotion. These beliefs identify targets for behavior change interventions to improve PA promotion rates among outpatient US physical therapists including incorporating baseline screening for PA and the development of continuing education training programs.

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Published In

J Geriatr Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

2152-0895

Publication Date

October 2022

Volume

45

Issue

4

Start / End Page

190 / 196

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physical Therapists
  • Outpatients
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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Rethorn, Z. D., Covington, J. K., Cook, C. E., & Bezner, J. R. (2022). Identifying Factors That Influence Physical Activity Promotion in Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice Using the Theoretical Domains Framework. J Geriatr Phys Ther, 45(4), 190–196. https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000353
Rethorn, Zachary D., J Kyle Covington, Chad E. Cook, and Janet R. Bezner. “Identifying Factors That Influence Physical Activity Promotion in Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.J Geriatr Phys Ther 45, no. 4 (October 2022): 190–96. https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000353.
Rethorn, Zachary D., et al. “Identifying Factors That Influence Physical Activity Promotion in Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.J Geriatr Phys Ther, vol. 45, no. 4, Oct. 2022, pp. 190–96. Pubmed, doi:10.1519/JPT.0000000000000353.

Published In

J Geriatr Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

2152-0895

Publication Date

October 2022

Volume

45

Issue

4

Start / End Page

190 / 196

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physical Therapists
  • Outpatients
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences