Table 2 Australian physiotherapists’ knowledge, role perception, confidence, feasibility and barriers to physical activity promotion
Variable (n = 257) | n Agree (%) |
|---|---|
Aware of the Australian PASB guidelines | 168 (65) |
Knowledge of PA message | |
Taking the stairs at work and generally being more active each day is enough PA to improve health | 138 (54) |
Half an hour of walking on most days is all the exercise that is needed for good health | 111 (43) |
Exercise that is good for health must make you puff and pant | 82 (32) |
Several short walks of 10 min each on most days is better than one round of golf per week for good health | 201 (78) |
Health Professionals Role | |
Discussing the benefits of a physically active lifestyle with patients is part of the health professionals role | 254 (98.8) |
Suggesting to patients ways to increase daily PA is part of the health professionals role | 253 (98.4) |
Health professionals should be physically active to act as a role model for their patients | 250 (97.3) |
Confidence in giving PA message | |
I would feel confident in giving general advice to patients on a physically active lifestyle | 245 (95.3) |
I would feel confident in suggesting specific physical activity | 239 (93.0) |
Feasibility of PA promotion strategies | |
Brief counselling integrated into regular consultations | 241 (93.8) |
Separate one-on-one consultations | 135 (52.5) |
Group sessions | 173 (67.3) |
Distribution of resources (such as brochures) | 240 (93.4) |
Barriers to PA promotion | |
Lack of time | 35 (13.6) |
Lack of counselling skills | 16 (6.2) |
Lack of remuneration for promoting PA | 14 (5.4) |
Lack of interest in promoting PA | 3 (1.2) |
Feeling it would not change the patient’s behaviour | 24 (9.3) |
Feeling it would not be beneficial for the patient | 2 (0.8) |
Other | 47 (18.3) |