Physiotherapists' role in physical activity promotion: Qualitative reflections of patients and providers

Physiotherapists are often important figures in the lives of people with physical disabilities and chronic conditions, yet gaps in understanding remain regarding how therapists promote physical activity and leverage existing community-based recreation programs.

We used qualitative methods to explore experiences of physiotherapists as well as individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions receiving physiotherapy, with a focus on strategies to promote physical activity and the extent that therapists leverage community-based resources and programs.

Semi-structured interviews were completed with nine physiotherapists (six American and three Canadian) and eight individuals with a physical disability (all Americans).

Participants reflected on the salience of physical activity promotion throughout physiotherapy but also highlighted barriers. Three themes explored idealized and problematic experiences with physical activity promotion in therapy: 1) individualized promotion of physical activity; 2) increasing physical activity options for patients via engagement with the community; and 3) options for physical activity in the community. Differences were also noted between therapist and patient participants and when contrasting across countries (i.e. funding models). For instance, physiotherapists in publicly funded contexts relied more heavily on engagement with accessible community-based programming than privately funded counterparts.

Therapists should further integrate patient perspectives when considering physical activity promotion. Additional research is needed to explore how therapists incorporate community-based programs into health promotion while further understanding the extent that these strategies align with the scope of physiotherapy practice in varying contexts.